Managing acute alcohol withdrawal with Homoeopathy: A prospective, observational, multicentre exploratory study

Authors

Debadatta Nayak, Research Officer (H), Scientist - I, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Saurav Arora, Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Uttam Singh, Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, New Delhi
Nitali Borah, Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, Darjeeling, West Bengal
J Thakur, Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, Darjeeling, West Bengal
Anil Khurana, Deputy Director (H), Scientist - IV, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
K. R. J. Nair, Assistant Director (H), Scientist - IV, Central Research Institute, Kottayam, Kerala
Jaya Gupta, Research Officer, Scientist - IV, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Hari Singh, Former Research Officer, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi

Keywords

Acute alcohol withdrawal, Alcohol dependence, CIWA-Ar, Homoeopathy, Observational study

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Alcohol dependence is a common social problem which may be associated with other risk factors and co-morbidities. Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake may provoke an acute alcohol withdrawal phase with varying degrees of signs and symptoms. In conventional medical system, specific pharmacological interventions are used for management of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (AAW). There exists a need to explore safe and holistic treatment of AAW. The present work reports the results of a prospective, observational, exploratory, multicentre trial (2008-2011) to assess the role of Homoeopathy in AAW. Materials and Methods: Individualised Homoeopathy was given to 112 patients reporting with AAW. The clinical assessment was done for 05 days using Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale of Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar). Post-withdrawal phase, quality of life of patients was assessed at end of 01 st , 03 rd and 06 th month using World Health Organisation quality of life (WHOQOL)- BREF. Results and Analysis: There was a significant decrease in CIWA-Ar mean scores and increase in quality of life score (P < 0.001). The most common remedies used were Arsenicum album, Lycopodium clavatum, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla. Conclusion: The results of current observational pilot study suggest the promising use of Homoeopathy in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Further studies with large sample size and rigorous design are warranted.

Digital Object Identifier

10.4103/0974-7168.147322

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd.

How to cite this article

Nayak D, Arora S, Singh U, et al. Managing acute alcohol withdrawal with Homoeopathy: A prospective, observational, multicentre exploratory study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2014;8:224-230. doi: 10.4103/0974-7168.147322