[Experiences with cocarboxylase treatment of alcoholics in ambulatory care]

A report is given on a treatment carried out in 1971 in 20 adults alcoholic outpatients by means of intravenously administered carboxylase and vitamin B injections. Under abstinence, a reduction in the addiction, psychic activation and physical recuperation without withdrawal symptoms occurred within a few days. Absolute permanent abstinence, which was aimed at, was observed in seven patients, lasting over a period of three to five years. In another six patients is lasted for several months up to two years. In two alcoholics, an improvement of the condition without a longer lasting abstinence was obtained; five patients could hardly be influenced. A subsequent treatment might probably improve the rate of success obtained with this method. The disturbance of the pyruvate metabolism in chronic alcoholism as a cause of the addiction is discussed.