Withdrawal from Alcohol, Cocaine, and Heroin

Up to 40 percent of hospital admissions are related to problems of substance abuse.1 Patients who abuse alcohol or drugs may be admitted to the hospital for trauma or another medical problem, then develop an acute withdrawal syndrome while inpatient. Recognition and treatment of the appropriate withdrawal syndrome is important to prevent excess mortality or prolonged hospitalization due to complications. Alcohol and Sedative-Hypnotic Medications Sedative-hypnotic drugs include alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other sleeping pills. This type of prescription medication has significant potential for abuse. It is unusual to see patients who are solely abusing prescriptio