Outpatient detoxification of the alcoholic

Recent and proposed decreases in federal funding in support of publicly funded detoxification facilities and increased costs of inpatient detoxification will predictably lead to family physicians being faced with the problem of alcohol detoxification for many of their patients. Outpatient detoxification is possible in the majority of cases provided that good initial screening is accomplished and strong supportive resources exist. The ambulatory route is frequently not considered when examining mechanisms for the withdrawal of individuals from alcohol. The literature and experience indicate that, except in a small number of cases which can be adequately screened during the admission process, outpatient withdrawal can be an effective mechanism. Outpatient withdrawal must be considered not only by family physicians operating in the absence of alcohol support programs but also by alcohol treatment programs as a cost-effective alternative to many of the more expensive means of detoxifying alcoholic patients.