|
 
 |
| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 4 | Page : 224-230 |
|
Managing acute alcohol withdrawal with Homoeopathy: A prospective, observational, multicentre exploratory study
Debadatta Nayak1, Saurav Arora2, Uttam Singh3, Nitali Borah4, JN Thakur4, Anil Khurana5, K. R. J. Nair6, Jaya Gupta7, Hari Singh8, Rajesh Kumar9, C Nayak10
1 Research Officer (H), Scientist - I, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
2 Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
3 Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, New Delhi, India
4 Former Senior Research Fellow (H), Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
5 Deputy Director (H), Scientist - IV, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
6 Assistant Director (H), Scientist - IV, Central Research Institute, Kottayam, Kerala, India
7 Research Officer, Scientist - IV, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
8 Former Research Officer, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
9 Director, Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, New Delhi, India
10 Former Director General, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 24-Apr-2014 |
| Date of Acceptance | 10-Dec-2014 |
| Date of Web Publication | 18-Dec-2014 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Debadatta Nayak
Research Officer, Scientist - I, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, 61-65, Institutional Area, Opp. D Block, Janakpuri - 110 058, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-7168.147322
Background: Alcohol dependence is a common social problem which may be associated with other risk factors and co-morbidities. Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake may provoke an acute alcohol withdrawal phase with varying degrees of signs and symptoms. In conventional medical system, specific pharmacological interventions are used for management of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (AAW). There exists a need to explore safe and holistic treatment of AAW. The present work reports the results of a prospective, observational, exploratory, multicentre trial (2008-2011) to assess the role of Homoeopathy in AAW.
Materials and Methods: Individualised Homoeopathy was given to 112 patients reporting with AAW. The clinical assessment was done for 05 days using Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale of Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar). Post-withdrawal phase, quality of life of patients was assessed at end of 01 st , 03 rd and 06 th month using World Health Organisation quality of life (WHOQOL)- BREF.
Results and Analysis: There was a significant decrease in CIWA-Ar mean scores and increase in quality of life score (P < 0.001). The most common remedies used were Arsenicum album, Lycopodium clavatum, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla.
Conclusion: The results of current observational pilot study suggest the promising use of Homoeopathy in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Further studies with large sample size and rigorous design are warranted. Keywords: Acute alcohol withdrawal, Alcohol dependence, CIWA-Ar, Homoeopathy, Observational study
How to cite this article:
Nayak D, Arora S, Singh U, Borah N, Thakur J N, Khurana A, Nair K, Gupta J, Singh H, Kumar R, Nayak C. Managing acute alcohol withdrawal with Homoeopathy: A prospective, observational, multicentre exploratory study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2014;8:224-30 |
How to cite this URL:
Nayak D, Arora S, Singh U, Borah N, Thakur J N, Khurana A, Nair K, Gupta J, Singh H, Kumar R, Nayak C. Managing acute alcohol withdrawal with Homoeopathy: A prospective, observational, multicentre exploratory study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy [serial online] 2014 [cited 2023 Apr 2];8:224-30. Available from: https://www.ijrh.org/text.asp?2014/8/4/224/147322 |
| Introduction | |  |
Alcohol dependence is a common problem of modern society and is associated with other risk factors and co-morbidities. Individuals addicted to alcohol may not abstain/withdraw themselves from drinking due to craving and apprehension of complaints associated with withdrawal, even though when they want to do so. Studies show that abrupt cessation of prolonged, sustained ethanol intake leads to Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (AAW). [1] About 50% of alcohol-dependent patients develop clinically relevant symptoms of withdrawal. [2] Management includes assessment of the severity of the patient's symptoms and treatment of the withdrawal symptoms with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. The recognition and treatment of withdrawal symptoms represents the first step in the patient's recovery process. [3] However, insight also plays an important role in addiction, de-addiction and relapse, which varies at different stages of alcohol dependency. It is suggested that insight is compromised in drug addicts, due to an underlying neural dysfunction in the brain regions that modulate interception, behavioural monitoring, self-evaluation and habit formation. However, direct empirical evidence for such impairment in drug addiction is scarce. [4]
Symptoms and signs usually appear within 6-24 hours after cessation of drinking. [5],[6] These initial symptoms of AAW intensify and then diminish between 24 to 72 hours; [3],[7] however, they may also last for few days. AAW may be accompanied with seizures, delirium tremens, hallucinations, mental confusion, disorientation, delirium, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, etc., In addition, alterations in physiology, mood and behaviour may persist after acute withdrawal has subsided, motivating relapse to heavy drinking. [8],[9]
Several studies in conventional system of medicine have demonstrated efficacy of drugs like Benzodiazepines, Carbamazepine, Valproic acid, Gabapentin, etc., to treat this condition but are reported to have moderate to high side effects [10] such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, nausea, vomiting, anxiety. [11] It has been desired to have safe and effective alternatives for the management of AAW.
In Homoeopathy, a few studies have been conducted favouring homoeopathic intervention. Milewska (1993), [12] reported a case series of 30 male patients who were prescribed Sulphur 3X and later other homoeopathic medicines. Patients were followed up for varying days/months. The author reported that Sulphur was able to shorten the alcohol withdrawal phase. Yogandar Rai, [13] treated 241 drug addicts addicted to narcotics, tranquilizers, alcohol, cannabis and multiple drugs with homoeopathic medicines and reported an improvement rate of 86%. The outcomes were physician reported. Deodhar [14] et al., reported the results of 25 patients of AAW treated with Homoeopathy, in which 56% cases recovered within 48-72 hours, 32% recovered within 24-48 hours and 12% cases recovered within 72 hours of treatment. However, all of these studies had methodological flaws and improvements were physician reported with no use of validated scales, which could observe the changes.
Keeping in view the shortcomings of earlier studies in Homoeopathy, a prospective, observational study was undertaken to assess the role of Homoeopathy in AAW management with validated outcome measures.
| Objectives | | |
- Primary: To evaluate the usefulness of individualized homoeopathic medicines in treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal
- Secondary: To assess the change in quality of life.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Design
A prospective, open label, multicentre, observational study was undertaken at two drug de-addiction centres of Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM) to see the role of homoeopathic treatment in the management of AAW. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethical committee of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before enrolling to the study.
Patient and settings
Study population was recruited from patients seeking treatment at two de-addiction In-Patient-Units (IPU) of SPYM (New Delhi and Darjeeling) during 2008-2011. Patients between 15 -50 years of age, both genders; regular alcohol usage for at least 01 month; brought by family members or self-reported; history of 02 failed abstinence attempts and written informed consent were included. Patients on other medication for alcohol withdrawal, chronic systemic illness, pregnancy or lactating phase and migratory population were excluded [Figure 1].
Treatment and follow-up
Patients were enquired, in detail, regarding complaints, past history, family history, etc., on a pre-defined proforma. The selection of specific medicine for each patient was on the basis of higher value on the repertorization [15] of presenting signs and symptoms of the patient, further guided by mental/emotional, physical attributes and verification from materia medica. Patients were prescribed 04 pills (globules size 30) of indicated remedy as per the discretion of the treating physician. Patients were seen daily for first 07 days (withdrawal phase), and then at end of 02 nd , 03 rd and 04 th week (observation phase), or at earlier interval, as per need or appearance of new symptoms, if any. During observation phase they were either prescribed non-medicated globules or indicated remedy in infrequent doses. At end of 1 st month, patients were either continued at IPU or discharged on request. They were then called for monthly follow up visit for a total of 06 months, and if unable to come, patients were enquired telephonically about their relapse. After 07 days of treatment, patients were motivated for relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga exercise, music, indoor games, etc., for better reinforcement of cognitive abilities, self-confidence, general well-being and social integration.
Outcome measures
The primary outcome measure was total score of Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale of Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar), [16] a validated 10-item scale used to monitor the clinical course of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The CIWA-Ar total score relates to aggregate alcohol withdrawal severity and rater-assessed individual items including evaluation of nausea, tremor, sweating, anxiety, agitation, perceptual disturbances and clouding of sensorium. CIWA-Ar scale has three subcategories according to total score: Mild (<8); Moderate (8-15) and Severe (>15). CIWA-Ar scoring was done daily, at the same time of each day for 05 days. Patients were asked to fill World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL)- BREF [17] at baseline, end of 01 st , 03 rd and 06 th month from enrolment.
Statistical methods
The statistical analyses were done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Baseline variables are given using descriptive statistics. Patients who have completed at least two follow ups were considered for the analysis. The missing values were replaced by last assessed value following the Last Observation Carry Forward method. Comparisons of all outcome measures were done using repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). To compare the outcome status of the improvement rate between the follow ups McNemar's test was used. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
| Results | | |
A total of 125 patients were enrolled, 112 completed the total study duration. Thirteen patients were not included in analysis as 09 patients had follow-up less than two days and 04 patients referred for other treatment within two days of treatment. The data from these patients were not included in the analysis. The baseline characteristics are given in [Table 1]. Based on CIWA-Ar scores, there were 18 mild patients (16%; score < 8), 54 moderate (48.2%; score 8-15) and 40 severe (35.7%; score >15).
A one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was calculated comparing the CIWA-Ar total scores of patients at five consecutive days, i. e., 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and a significant effect was found (F (4,444) =487.03, P < 0.001).
The decreasing trend of mean total score CIWA-Ar scale is presented in [Figure 2]. Similarly, the decreasing trend of mean scores of each sub-domain of CIWA-Ar scale after homoeopathic treatment are presented in [Figure 3]. | Figure 3: Decreasing trend of each sub-domain of CIWA-Ar after homoeopathic treatment
Click here to view |
Further, analysis of each subdomain of CIWA-Ar was done using McNemar test, to see the status of patients progressing to improvement/static/worse conditions [Table 2], which showed statistically significant changes (P = 0.0001). | Table 2: Outcome of patients in subdomains of CIWA-Ar at day4 of treatment, n=112
Click here to view |
The WHOQOL-BREF score of each patient was calculated at baseline, end of 01 st , 03 rd and 06 months. A one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was calculated comparing the WHOQOL-BREF score of patients at four different times: Baseline, month 1, month 3, month 6 and a significant effect was found (F (3,315) = 137.5, P < 0.001). Further, the subdomains were spider plotted showing the comparative changes at different time point [Figure 4].
Individualized remedies were given on the basis of symptomatic presentation. A common set of remedies has emerged which responded well to AAW, amongst which the most commonly prescribed remedies were Arsenicum album (n = 38), Lycopodium clavatum (n = 29), Belladonna (n = 14), Nux vomica (n = 13) and Pulsatilla (n = 07). The suggestive indications of above mentioned remedies are given in [Table 3].
About 26 patients (23.2%) went into relapse within 03 months, followed by 16 (14.2%) within 06 months after treatment, but this data was generated out of those patients who opted to entertain the study team during follow-up or telephonically.
| Discussion | | |
Alcohol dependence is a major social issue, but since withdrawal symptoms appear only after cessation, the real magnitude of this condition is tip of the iceberg. In the present study homoeopathic intervention was able to manage patients with AAW. The therapy was able to annihilate withdrawal symptoms and improve quality of life. In four patients adverse events were noted (seizures, tremors, auditory and visual hallucinations) which are common in patients of AAW. These patients were referred for conventional treatment.
Rai [12] reported remedies like Avena sativa (Q), Nux vomica (200C), Rhus toxicodendron (10M), Arsenicum album (10M), Bryonia alba (200C), Chamomilla (10M) to be most useful in drug dependents. Deodhar [14] reported Zincum metallicum, Hyocyamus niger and Stramonium being most commonly used remedies. In our study, most commonly prescribed remedies were Arsenicum album, Lycopodium clavatum, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla. In earlier works as mentioned, no validated scales/questionnaires were used and the follow-up period varied, whereas the present work quantified the outcome measures with the use of validated scale CIWA-Ar along with a predefined follow-up period.
There were few limitations in our study. Post treatment of acute withdrawal phase, patients were motivated for yoga, exercises, meditation, etc., These factors may have influence on the quality of life outcomes of patients; however, adherence to these advices are not recorded. Inclusion of a control group could have been an additional strength to compare the efficacy of homoeopathic treatment over standard care. Post treatment, the proportion of patients returning for follow-up was not constant, which is a very common issue in Outpatient Department (OPD) settings, therefore, the relapse rate, compliance rate, need for taking of other medicines, post treatment complications, etc., could not be reported fully. The drawbacks may be addressed in future controlled studies.
| Conclusion | | |
The results of current observational pilot study suggest the promising use of Homoeopathy in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Further studies with large sample size and rigorous design are warranted.
Source of funding
The authors are thankful to Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India for providing financial assistance for this collaborative research project.
| Acknowledgements | | |
The authors are thankful to Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, New Delhi for logistics and technical support to carry out the study and also thankful to Mrs. Maya Padmanabhan, Statistical Assistant and Dr. Varanasi Roja, Research Officer (H)/Scientist-I, CCRH, Hqrs., New Delhi for providing statistical inputs in analysis.
| References | | |
| 1. | Lyon JE, Khan RA, Gessert CE, Larson PM, Renier CM. Treating alcohol withdrawal with oral baclofen: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Hosp Med 2011;6:469-74.  |
| 2. | Australian Government. Department of health and ageing. Chapter 5 Alcohol withdrawal management [Internet]. Available from: http://www.alcohol.gov.au/ [Last cited on 2013 Mar 1]. |
| 3. | Saitz R. Introduction to alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Health Res World 1998;22:5-12. |
| 4. | Goldstein RZ, Craig AD, Bechara A, Garavan H, Childress AR, Paulus MP, et al. The neurocircuitry of impaired insight in drug addiction. Trends Cogn Sci 2009;13:372-80. |
| 5. | Hall W, Zador D. The alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Lancet 1997;349:1897-900. |
| 6. | Beck A, Schlagenhauf F, Wüstenberg T, Hein J, Kienast T, Kahnt T, et al. Ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation correlates with impulsivity in alcoholics. Biol Psychiatry 2009;66:734-42. |
| 7. | Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: How to predict, prevent, diagnose and treat it. Prescrire Int 2007;16:24-31. |
| 8. | Trevisan LA, Boutros N, Petrakis IL, Krystal JH. Complications of alcohol withdrawal: Pathophysiological insights. Alcohol Health Res World 1998;22:61-66. |
| 9. | Saunders JB, Yang J. Clinical protocols for detoxification in hospitals and detoxification facilities alcohol and drug services, royal brisbane hospital and the prince charles hospital health service districts (2002) ISBN: 0-9578860-1-2. Available from: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/atod/documents/24904.pdf [Last cited on 2013 Apr 01]. |
| 10. | Myrick H, Malcolm R, Randall PK, Boyle E, Anton RF, Becker HC, et al. A double-blind trial of gabapentin versus lorazepam in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2009;33:1582-8. |
| 11. | |
| 12. | Grazyna M. Homoeopathic treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Br Homeopath J 1993;82:249-51. |
| 13. | Rai Y. Clinical evaluation of homoeopathic medicines in the management of withdrawal symptoms of drug dependents. Clinical Research Studies- Series I. CCRH 2008;125-9. |
| 14. | Deodhar M, Patel M, Dhawale K, Tamboli P, Broker D. Homoeopathy in acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome: An exploratory study. Homoeopath Herit 2013:21-6. |
| 15. | Shah J. Hompath Classic. Version 8.0; Copyright © 2007-2011; Mind Technologies, Mumbai. |
| 16. | Sullivan JT, Sykora K, Schneiderman J, Naranjo CA, Sellers EM. Assessment of alcohol withdrawal: The revised clinical institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol scale (CIWA-Ar). Br J Addict 1989;84:1353-7. |
| 17. | |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]
|
Search Pubmed for