[A new view of the evaluation of alcohol withdrawal and alcohol dependence]

This study was designed to evaluate 21 alcohol dependent male individuals during withdrawal syndrome. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms was measured using Sandowal-Wang scale. The level of blood serum prolactin was measured twice a day (8 a.m. and 8 p.m.) on the lst, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st day of the study. Also the depth and the time of the development of dependence were evaluated using DSM-III-R criteria, alcohol dependence (WGU) and presence of dependence symptoms scale (WWO). It was establish that WGU, WWO and DSM-III-R criteria, separated similar groups of patients with the same depth of dependence clinical symptoms and prognosis. This study revealed a negative correlation between intensity of withdrawal symptoms and PRL levels in blood serum on the 1st day of abstinence. PRL levels increased from the 3rd to the 21st day of the study. Ethanol withdrawal symptoms intensity index was positively correlated with WGU.