Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: assessment and treatment with the use of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-revised.

Alcoholism is a chronic, complex disease and addictive disorder. Sudden cessation of alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol withdrawal, an acute process with devastating and potentially life-threatening consequences. Assessment of alcohol withdrawal is key to a successful outcome. Appropriate assessment of withdrawal symptoms begins with the use of the revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, which evaluates the presence and severity of withdrawal symptoms. The higher the patient's score, the greater the risk for experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms. Pharmacotherapy may be gauged to treat the symptoms according the score.