Alcohol Withdrawal Anthony Worsham, MD Thursday School Division of Hospital Medicine Department of...

Alcohol Withdrawal

Anthony Worsham, MDThursday School

Division of Hospital MedicineDepartment of Internal Medicine

University of New Mexico Health Sciences CenterThursday, August 7, 2014

The dose makes the poisonWhat is it that is not a poison? All things are poison and nothing is without poison. Solely, the dose determines that a thing is not a poison.--Paracelsus (1493–1541), the Renaissance Father of Toxicology, in his Third Defense

Erickson TB, The approach to the patient with an unknown overdose, Emerg Med Clin N Am 25 (2007) 249–281http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus

What is alcohol?

An alcoholic beverage is a drink that typically contains 3% – 40% alcohol (ethanol)

• beer• wine• spirits (distilled beverages)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage

Alcohol BAC and effects

Kelly JF, Renner JA, Alcohol-Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/pdfs/excessive_alcohol_cost.pdf

What is excessive EtOH use?

49% Prescription opioids(i.e.,methadone,oxycodone,morphine)

36% heroin

31% cocaine

29% tranquilizers/musclerelaxants

16% antidepressants

median age of unintentional drug overdose: 43.7years

O’Connor PG, Alcohol Abuse And Dependence, Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 31.

CAGE questionnaire

1.Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?

2.Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

3.Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?

4.Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

CAGE test scores >=2 is positive

Excessive drinking: specificity 76%, sensitivity of 93%

alcoholism: specificity of 77%, sensitivity of 91%

Kitchens JM (1994). "Does this patient have an alcohol problem?". JAMA 272 (22):1782–7.

Apply DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Withdrawal

ICD-10 alcohol withdrawal codesF10.23 Alcohol dependence with withdrawalF10.230 …… uncomplicatedF10.231 …… deliriumF10.232 …… with perceptual disturbanceF10.239 …… unspecified

Abuse versus dependence: DSM IV-TR Alcohol abuse

A. A maladaptive pattern of drinking, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least one of the following occurring within a 12-month period:•Recurrent use of alcohol resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to alcohol use; alcohol-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)•Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by alcohol use)•Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for alcohol-related disorderly conduct)•Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication).

B. Never met criteria for alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence

A. A maladaptive pattern of drinking, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:•Need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol•The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol; or drinking (or using a closely related substance) to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms•Drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.•Persistent desire or one or more unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control drinking•Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of drinking•A great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, to use, or to recover from the effects of drinking•Continued drinking despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to be caused or exacerbated by drinking.

B. No duration criterion separately specified, but several dependence criteria must occur repeatedly as specified by duration qualifiers associated with criteria (e.g., “persistent,” “continued”).

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.).

Substance use disorderDiagnostic criteria

A. A problematic pattern of __ use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two or the following, occuring within a 12-month period:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Substance-use disordersDiagnostic criteria

• Criteria A– Impaired control (Criteria 1-4)– Social impairment (Criteria 5-7)– Risky use (Criteria 8-9)– Pharmacological criteria (Criteria 10-11)


Substance use disorderDiagnostic criteria: Impaired control

1. __ is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.

2. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control __ use.

3. A great deal of time in spent in activities necessary to obtain __, use __, or recover from its effects.

4. Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use __.


Substance use disorderDiagnostic criteria: Social impairment

5. Recurrent __ use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home

6. Continued __ use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of __.

7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of __ use.


Substance use disorderDiagnostic criteria: Risky use

8. Recurrent __ use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.

9. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by __.


Substance use disorderDiagnostic criteria: Pharmacology

10. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:– a. A need for markedly increased amounts of __ to achieve

intoxication or desired effect.– b. A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the

same amount of __.

11. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:– a. The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for __– b. __ (or a closely related substance) is taken to relieve or

avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Substance use disordersDiagnostic criteria

• Specifiers– In early remission: no criteria met at least 3 months but

less than 12 months– In sustained remission: no criteria met for 12 months or

longer– In a controlled environment– Severity

• Mild: presence of 2-3 symptoms• Moderate: presence of 4-5 symptoms• Severe: presence of 6 or more symptoms


What is alcohol withdrawal?

Camí J, Farré M, Drug Addiction, N Engl J Med, 2003;349:975-86.

Mechanism of action of alcohol

http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_m/i_03_m_par/i_03_m_par_alcool.html

AlcoholIntoxication

B. Inappropriate sexual or aggressive behavior, mood lability, impaired judgment

C. 1 or more of:

•Slurred speech

•Incoordination

•Unsteady gait

•Nystagmus

•Impairment in attention or memory

•Stupor or coma

Withdrawal (2+ within hrs-days)

•Autonomic hyperactivity•E.g., sweating or pulse rate >100 bpm

•Increased hand tremor

•Insomnia

•Nausea or vomiting

•Transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or illusions

•Psychomotor agitation

•Anxiety

•Generalized tonic-clonic seizures


Alcohol withdrawal syndrome progression

Haber P et al. Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. 2009.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal


Alcohol withdrawal spectrum

Alcohol Abuse And Dependence: Patrick G. O’Connor. UpToDate

Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar)

• nausea/vomiting• anxiety• paroxysmal sweats• tactile disturbances• visual disturbances• tremors• agitation• orientation and clouding of sensorium• auditory disturbances• headache

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome admission management goals

1. Monitor course of syndrome, ensuring patient safety2. Use methods to abort progression and treat

symptoms3. Manage comorbid medical, surgical, toxicologic, and

psychiatric problems4. Anticipate need for intensive care monitoring and

therapy5. Ensure multidisciplinary approach to management,

including preparation for rehabilitation

Carlson RW et al, Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Crit Care Clin 28 (2012) 549–585

Admission studies for patients with moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome

1. Complete blood cell count2. Baseline metabolic panel with serum electrolytes (including magnesium), glucose,

renal function tests3. Blood alcohol, and urine and blood toxicology studies4. Serum calcium, phosphate, lipase, CPK activity5. Liver function tests, including INR and serum AST, ALT, bilirubin, ammonia6. Chest radiograph7. Electrocardiogram, cardiac biomarkers, echocardiogram8. Urinalysis9. Arterial blood gas analysis10. Blood, urine, and sputum cultures

Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CPK, creatinephosphokinase; INR, international normalized ratio.Laboratory, imaging, and clinical evaluations must be individualized.


Moeller KE, Urine Drug Screening:Practical Guide for Clinicians, Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(1)66-76

Alcohol labs

Blood alcohol level

Alcohol-use disordersMarc A Schuckit, Lancet 2009; 373: 492–501

Osmolar Gap

Levine M et al, Toxicology in the ICU: Part 1: General Overview and Approach to Treatment. Chest 2011; 140( 3 ): 795 – 806

MKSAP question

A 39-year-old man is admitted to the hospital for new-onset agitation, fluctuating level of consciousness, and tremors. He is diagnosed with acute alcoholic hepatitis.

MKSAP Question

On physical examination, temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F), blood pressure is 95/55 mm Hg, pulse rate is 130/min, and respiration rate is 30/min. Jaundice is noted. The abdomen is protuberant with ascites but is soft, with no abdominal rigidity or guarding. There is no blood in the stool. The patient is agitated and disoriented, is unable to maintain attention, and appears to be having visual hallucinations. He believes that the nurse has stolen his wallet (which is in his bedside drawer) in order to obtain his identity. He is diaphoretic and tremulous. Asterixis is absent, and the remainder of the neurologic examination is normal.

MKSAP Question

Q: Which of the following is the most appropriate management?

A. Ceftriaxone B. CT of the headC. HaloperidolD. Lactulose enemaE. Lorazepam

What is delirium tremens?

What is delirium tremens?

DeliriumDiagnostic Criteria

A. A disturbance in attention (i.e., reduced ability to direct, focus, sustain, and shift attention) and awareness (reduced orientation to the environment).

B. The disturbance develops over a short period of time (usually hours to a few days), represents a change from baseline attention and awareness, and tends to fluctuate in severity during the course of a day.

C. An additional disturbance in cognition (e.g., memory deficit, disorientation, language, visuospatial ability, or perception).

D. The disturbances in Criteria A or C are not better explained by another preexisting, established, or evolving neurocognitive disorder and do not occur in the context of a severely reduced level of arousal, such as coma.

E. There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the disturbance is a direct physiological consequence of another medical condition, substance intoxication or withdrawal (i.e., due to a drug of abuse or to a medication), or exposure to a toxin, or is due to multiple etiologies.


Differentiate delirium tremens from other alcohol withdrawal syndromes

• 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal• Constellation of symptoms: confusion, hallucinations, fever

(with or without evidence of infection), and autonomic hyperresponsiveness with hypertension and profound tachycardia

• Suspect in any agitated patient withdrawing from alcohol with BP >140/90 mm Hg, HR > 100/min, T > 101 Fahrenheit

• Mortality 5-15%

Erwin WE et al, Delirium tremens, Southern Medical Journal (May 1998, 91:5), 425-432.

MKSAP QuestionCorrect answer: E. Lorazepam.

The most appropriate treatment is lorazepam for delirium tremens syndrome. The term delirium tremens is nearly universally used to refer to delirium due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The syndrome usually presents 48 to 96 hours after cessation of drinking, can last up to 2 weeks, and is usually exacerbated at night. The syndrome is characterized by impaired level of consciousness and disorientation (which may fluctuate significantly), reduced attention and global amnesia, impaired cognition and speech, and often hallucinations (usually tactile and/or visual) and delusions (persecutory). The condition can be rapidly fatal if not treated appropriately and aggressively. Seizure activity can occur. Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice, with doses given as needed based on exhibited signs and symptoms consistent with alcohol withdrawal.

Delirium tremens

Key PointsDelirium tremens is characterized by fluctuating

level of consciousness, disorientation, reduced attention, global amnesia, impaired cognition and speech, and often hallucinations and delusions.

Risk factors for severe course of AWS, including seizures and delirium

1. Prior episodes of AWS requiring detoxification, including seizures or delirium (kindling)

2. Grade 2 severity or higher on presentation (CIWA-Ar Score >10)

3. Advanced age

4. Acute or chronic comorbid conditions, including alcoholic liver disease, co-intoxications,

trauma, infections, sepsis

5. Detectable blood alcohol level on admission

6. Use of “eye opener,” high daily intake of alcohol, or number of drinking days/month

7. Abnormal liver function (serum aspartate aminotransferase activity >80 U/L)

8. Prior benzodiazepine use

9. Male sex

Abbreviation: CIWA-Ar, Clinical Institute of Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised.


Potential indications for ICU management

1. Advanced Stage 2 or greater alcohol withdrawal syndrome

2. Critical comorbid conditions including: trauma; severe sepsis; respiratory failure; acute respiratory distress syndrome; hemodynamic instability; gastrointestinal bleeding; hepatic failure; pancreatitis; rhabdomyolysis; co-intoxication; coagulopathies; acute CNS process; cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, or congestive failure; severe fluid or electrolyte defects; renal failure; persistent fever; or complex acid-base defects

3. Escalating intravenous bolus or continuous-infusion sedation therapy

4. Persistent fever >39 C


Alcohol treatment medications

O’Connor PG, Alcohol Abuse And Dependence, Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 31.

Criteria for different withdrawal settings


Literature review1 RCT; 3 cohort studies (2 retrospective)

Stephens JR, et al. Who Needs Inpatient Detox? Development and Implementation of a Hospitalist Protocol for the Evaluation of Patients for Alcohol Detoxification. J Gen Intern Med. Published online 07 January 2014.

Task Force: 3 MD, 1 NP, 1 RN case managerClinical questions

Is inpatient or outpatient treatment superior for alcohol detoxification?

What factors should guide decisions on inpatient versus outpatient treatment?

Literature searchPubMed (years 1980 to 2011) utilizing combinations of

the search terms “alcohol detoxification,” “inpatient,” “outpatient,” and “ambulatory”

review of reference sources


Asplund CA et al. Regimens for alcohol withdrawal and detoxification. J Fam Pract 53:7. (2004)



ResultsAlcohol detoxification admissions: 15.9 v.

18.9/month, p=0.037Average LOS: 3.4 versus 2.7 days, p=0.09Readmission rate: 28.4% v. 26.5%; p=0.337-day repeat ED visit: 10.8% v. 8.8%AMA discharges: 18 (1.0/month) v. 16 (2.7/month)Protocol adherence: 15/18 cases (83.3%)Cost savings: $8742 /case, $315,000/yr


26.5

WeaknessesUnable to definitively tell if protocol is sole

reason for decreasing alcohol withdrawal admissions

Cannot determine safety because patients not admitted not followed


Metropolitan Assessment And Treatment Services (MATS)

http://www.bernco.gov/news/139305/ http://www.bernco.gov/mats-faq/

Metropolitan Assessment And Treatment Services (MATS)

Qualifications

◦Bernalillo County resident or homeless.

◦18 years of age or older.

◦ In need of detoxification from alcohol or dual substances. If methadone and more than 30 mgs, the person cannot be admitted. If heroin, alcohol, cocaine, etc., not used within the last three days, cannot admit unless symptoms are presenting.

◦If the person is on any life-sustaining prescription medications (such as insulin for diabetes), must have the prescription medication with them. (Note: If the person is on psychiatric drugs but does not have the medication with them, the person can be admitted if not presenting and seems stable.).

◦ Must not have any restraining orders or warrants for arrest.

◦Must not have any appointments within the next 24 hours and up to the next 3 - 5 days. Admission to these services would most likely prevent the person from making that appointment.

◦Individuals must be mobile or able to move without assistance from others.

http://www.bernco.gov/mats-faq/ http://www.bernco.gov/news/139305/

UNM Alcohol Withdrawal Powerplan

UNM Alcohol Withdrawal Powerplan

Arch Intern Med. 2002 May 27;162(10):1117-21. Symptom-triggered vs fixed-schedule doses of benzodiazepine for alcohol withdrawal: a randomized treatment trial. Daeppen JB1, Gache P, Landry U, Sekera E, Schweizer V, Gloor S, Yersin B.

prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled

P: adult ED pts admitted to Alameda Co. Medical Center/Highland Hospital, CA w/ alcohol withdrawal

I: phenobarbital 10 mg/kg in 100 mL NS + “CIWA”C: 100 mL NS + “CIWA”O: primary: initial level of hospitalizationother: lorazepam gtt, LOS, lorazepam total dose,

adverse eventsRosenson J, Clements C, Simon B, et al. Phenobarbital for acute alcohol withdrawal: a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Emerg Med. 2013;44(3):592-598.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.07.056.

UNM CIWA protocol

Strategies for Cutting Downfrom Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician’s Guide. 2005.

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Alcohol Withdrawal Anthony Worsham, MD Thursday School Division of Hospital Medicine Department of...

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