Consider workup for alternate etiologies if clinical presentation unclear
Consider workup to evaluate any symptoms that led patient to stop drinking (e.g. did patient stop in setting of feeling unwell due to abdominal pain, pneumonia, etc.?)
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment – Alcohol – revised (CIWA-Ar)
Headache 0-7
Orientation 0-4
Tremor 0-7
Sweating 0-7
Anxiety 0-7
Nausea (and Vomiting) 0-7
Tactile Hallucinations 0-7
Auditory Hallucinations 0-7
Visual Hallucinations 0-7
Agitation 0-7
Maximum Score = 67
<8: Typically do not require medication
8-19: Medication
≥20: Medication and admission
Alcohol withdrawal
Ethanol toxicity
Benzodiazepine withdrawal
Alcohol use disorder
Opioid withdrawal
Cocaine withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal seizures
Barbiturate withdrawal