Managing Alcohol Withdrawal: Treatment Strategies and Considerations

This chapter provides a detailed analysis of managing alcohol withdrawal, focusing on the use of dexmetatomidine and other medications like IV haloperidol and anticonvulsants. It discusses the importance of electrolyte repletion, particularly magnesium, the challenges of diagnosing Wernicke's encephalopathy, and the risks of refeeding syndrome in these patients. The chapter also emphasizes the need for high-dose thiamine, vitamin B6 supplementation, and phenobarbital in preventing and managing alcohol withdrawal seizures, specifically delirium tremens.