CIWA: A Guide to Assessing Alcohol Withdrawal

Based on the statistics, Spain is the second country in the European Union in which alcohol consumption is most frequently present. It is true that many people are social drinkers, others do it moderately, but there is a percentage of the population that ends up falling into alcoholism. Although it is considered a legal and accepted drug, it is still a toxic substance fraught with risks. When a person begins to feel dependent on alcohol, this is when the alarms go off and both their health and their environment are seriously damaged.

The decision to stop drinking alcohol completely to return to live fully is a big step for this group. However, it brings with it a spate of negative effects known as withdrawal symptoms. It basically consists of the fact that the body, which was used to receiving its daily dose of drugs, becomes "angry" and reacts. A series of completely unpleasant symptoms arise for the person such as nausea, tremor, headache, anxiety, insomnia, sweating, deep desire to drink, etc.

There are several professionals in charge of accompanying this group and, in addition, there is a protocol in charge of providing more effective support to those people who are trying to recover. It is known as CIWA AR and is defined as a guide to assess and subsequently manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal appropriately..

Therefore, in today's article we will discuss this clinical tool known as CIWA AR. If you are interested in finding out what this protocol is, its importance and how it is applied to patients, you have come to the right place. Below you will discover why this tool changes the way you face alcohol withdrawal.

• We recommend you read: "Weekend alcoholics: these are their characteristics"

What is the CIWA-AR?

CIWA AR is the Anglo-Saxon acronym that refers to Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol. It is an effective tool to assess withdrawal symptoms while providing a comprehensive approach to help people who have decided to recover. To be understood, it is a scale where the degree of severity of alcohol withdrawal is objectively measured by scoring and determines the steps to follow in the treatment. Of course, rate the symptoms mentioned above.

The most characteristic of the CIWA AR protocol is the individualized care that it is able to provide to patients in order to guide the treatment properly. The scores obtained help the professional to determine various issues regarding the treatment, such as the need for mediation, follow-up during the process, among other things.

Now, what drugs are used? Benzodiazepines, which are very effective due to their anxiolytic, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and antiepileptic are the most appropriate to alleviate the symptoms generated by the cessation of alcohol consumption. The dose depends on each person, depending on the severity of the case, the medical history and the score obtained in the CIWA AR.

It should also be noted that the CIWA AR is supported by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This supports the importance of assessing the severity of symptoms in these patients to to be able to accompany them in an appropriate way during the complicated process of completely leaving this drug.

How is the CIWA AR applied?

First of all, it is very important to clarify that the CIWA AR protocol is indeed a clinical tool, not a diagnosis in itself. That is to say, its objective is to objectively assess the symptoms and thereby facilitate the treatment process. It is a way of ensuring the physical and mental safety and well-being of patients during the process.

It is applied individually and conscientiously. The job of professionals is to look at a list of symptoms in order to conclude what the severity of withdrawal is in each person. In short, each symptom has an assigned point and when the protocol is completed, a number comes out that defines the patient's condition and determines the necessary therapeutic objectives for each case. Likewise, the symptoms that the CIWA AR is capable of measuring and scoring are not only physical, but also the emotional and mental ones associated with the withdrawal syndrome also play an important role alcoholic. For this reason it is said that it is an integral tool since it achieves a complete report of the person's situation.

In order to ensure excellent care, the frequency with which this protocol must be applied is high and constant. In fact, during the early phases, it is recommended to pass the evaluation every 4 or 6 hours to be able to observe early the changes in the symptoms and thus be able to adjust the treatment if the case requires it.

Over time and as we get further into the detoxification process, the frequency decreases significantly. Always keep in mind that each person is unique and some patients may require more frequent evaluations and others may not. The support and accompaniment that this protocol provides for patients makes them feel a positive and significant impact on their healing process. A circle of care and essential support for the patient is established.

Alcohol withdrawal brings with it a lot of insecurity since the symptoms are very severe and frequent. Therefore, having the CIWA AR gives a sense of security knowing that the symptoms they suffer are regularly being accurately evaluated. In addition to feeling supported, it also helps to reduce the serious complications that the syndrome can produce, such as seizures or delusions.

Since it is an integral tool and does not leave out the emotional area of ​​the person, this helps patients to experience a sensation of validation that is extremely important for their process. With this you manage to reduce anxiety, stress, and even the fears that arise, thus having a smoother transition to recovery.

conclusions

The CIWA AR protocol has proven to be especially useful and essential when it comes to coping with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Its comprehensive look means that no part of the person is left unattended and generates a climate of trust, security, support and transparency between the professional and the patient. The bond that is created is just as important as passing the evaluation when dealing with these people. Likewise, it is essential to follow the guidelines and recommendations established by the professional team. With use and time, it is portrayed that the CIWA AR is much more than an analysis tool.