A proposed model for community-assisted alcohol withdrawal in primary care in the UK Armed Forces

Alcohol misuse and related morbidity continues to represent a challenge to the both the National Health Service (NHS) and the Defence Medical Services (DMS). A significant part of the management of patients who misuse alcohol involves planned assisted withdrawal for dependent drinkers. Traditionally, assisted alcohol withdrawal has been conducted in an in-patient setting owing to the perceived risks of carrying out this treatment. Current evidence shows that community-based approaches offer a safe and effective alternative to the traditional in-patient model with significant cost savings. This article proposes a model for community-assisted alcohol withdrawal (CAAW) for use within the DMS. It considers current guidelines and models already in operation within the NHS, offering evaluation and adjustments to fit the requirements that are applicable to the UK Armed Forces medical environment.