Contents

Disclaimer

Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

Show Summary Details
Page of

Alcohol misuse 

Alcohol misuse
Chapter:
Alcohol misuse
Author(s):

Jonathan Wood

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780198746690.003.0630
Page of

PRINTED FROM OXFORD MEDICINE ONLINE (www.oxfordmedicine.com). © Oxford University Press, 2021. All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a PDF of a single chapter of a title in Oxford Medicine Online for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice).

date: 05 March 2021

Excessive intake of alcohol is common and increases the risk of developing many medical conditions, as well as leading to psychological and social harm. Medical conditions commonly associated with harmful use include upper gastrointestinal and liver disease, hypertension, and accidents. The psychological state of alcohol dependency makes it more difficult to reduce intake and physical dependency may lead to a withdrawal syndrome after admission to hospital. Withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe and will commonly require treatment to prevent complications of alcohol withdrawal such as seizures. Delirium tremens is a life-threatening consequence of alcohol withdrawal that requires immediate active management. The role of alcohol in the development of Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome means patients will also need prophylaxis or treatment for this in the acute medical setting.

Access to the complete content on Oxford Medicine Online requires a subscription or purchase. Public users are able to search the site and view the abstracts for each book and chapter without a subscription.

Please subscribe or login to access full text content.

If you have purchased a print title that contains an access token, please see the token for information about how to register your code.

For questions on access or troubleshooting, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.