Synonyms
Definition
Pharmacological treatment of alcohol-dependent subjects includes both treatment of the acute physical withdrawal syndrome and relapse prevention treatment (anti-craving).
Whereas today withdrawal treatment is highly standardized, on the basis of randomized controlled trials and clinical experience from several decades, relapse prevention treatment represents a fairly new intervention. The available compounds are not widely prescribed, and proved evidence for differential pharmacotherapeutic strategies is lacking.
Role of Pharmacotherapy
Physical Withdrawal Treatment: General Pharmacological Withdrawal Strategies
In the majority of cases, treatment of patients suffering from alcoholism starts with the termination of alcohol use and treatment of withdrawal symptoms. The general consensus is that the complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome (severe physical withdrawal or withdrawal with seizures, alcohol...
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References
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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Kiefer, F., Mann, K. (2013). Alcohol Abuse and Dependence. In: Stolerman, I., Price, L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27772-6_166-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27772-6_166-2
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