What is delirium tremens?
Hallucinations that occur due to alcohol withdrawal
Maybe visual or tactile
Give some signs of alcohol withdrawal
Hallucinations
Increased heart rate and decrease blood pressure
Tremor
Confusion and fits
How long after the last drink does alcohol withdrawal start?
10-72 hours
How do we manage alcohol withdrawal?
Monitor BP
First 3 days - generous dose chlordiazepoxide = benzo
Then wean off (or diazepam)
What questions are part of the TWEAC screening for alcohol dependence?
Have you got an increased tolerance to alcohol?
Do you worry about your drinking?
Have you ever had alcohol as an eye-opener in the morning?
Do you ever get amnesia after drinking alcohol?
Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking?
Greater than or equal to 2 points suggests an alcohol problem
What are the components to the CAGE questionnaire for alcohol dependence?
Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning/eye-opener?
