SECOND-LINE AND 'ALTERNATIVE' TREATMENTS FOR ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL: ALPHA-AGONISTS, BETA-BLOCKERS, ANTICONVULSANTS, ACUPUNCTURE AND NEURO-ELECTRIC THERAPY

Drugs which reduce autonomic overactivity but have no sedativeeffects can be useful in alcohol withdrawal, either as the solepharmacological intervention or in conjunction with sedativedrugs. They may reduce sedative requirements, but their lackof anticonvulsant and anti-delirium effect can be a disadvantage.Beta-blockers are more effective than alpha-2 agonists. Non-sedativeanticonvulsants are of questionable value. Acupuncture and neuro-electrictherapy, though often popular with patients and therapists,appear to be no more than impressive placebos in this context.Non-specific treatment effects can be very prominent in withdrawal.Support, information, reassurance and good nursing can reducethe need for specific pharmacological or psychological interventions.