[Inpatient detoxification of alcoholic patients]

In the present paper, we report about a 2-year-experience with in-patient withdrawal of alcohol addicts. Out of 465 addicted pts., 178 pts. were treated with oral Clomethiazol. No delirium was observed during a mean treatment period of 6.6 days. 39 pts. who were delirious at admission, were also treated with oral Clomethiazol. In all of these pts., the delirium disappeared within 3-4 days. Possible explanations for these favourable courses will be discussed. Early and sufficient treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome with Clomethiazol seems to be one of the major factors in treating and avoiding delirium.