Volume-1 Issue-5 November, 2011
Once a person quits alcohol after de-addiction he will never relapse again.
Majority of patients have recurrent relapse & hence treating team should develop rapport with patients.
Disulfiram is given immediately once the patient or their relatives seek help for problems due to alcohol.
Patients are assessed, whether they are dependent or abusing the alcohol & examined for intoxication, if so then they are detoxified with tapering dose of benzodiazepine & then de-addiction is considered.
Alcohol de-addiction can be done without patients knowledge as widely publicized with Disulfiram.
It is not only unethical & illegal but also dangerous to treat a person without his knowledge with Disulfiram.
Alcohol De-addiction involves use of only Disufiram.
Most important aspect of management is Motivational Interview wherein patient gets the feedback & decides from the option of medications like Disulfiram/Acamprosate/ Naltrexone etc & Evidence based Counseling.
Alcohol De-addiction is a costly process and needs specialized centers.
De-addiction can be carried out in any medical institutions at very affordable price.
Disulfiram is unsafe and should never be prescribed for Alcohol De-addiction.
Disulfiram is the most cost effective drug available when it is used in recommended way & tailored to patient.
Compiled by –Dr.Pampi Majumder, Resident in Psychiatry, AIMS
