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New figures show that at least 140,000 people in Denmark are addicted to alcohol and that as many as 860,000 consume more than the recommended maximum number of units. Almost four per cent of all hospital admissions are due to alcohol-related injury. The care and treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms are therefore part of the everyday work of many nurses. It is important to question all patients in detail about their drinking habits on admission. Sudden termination of long-term excessive alcohol consumption can give rise to withdrawal symptoms such as hypertension, rapid pulse, a temperature, tendency to sweat, motor and mental unrest, convulsions and delirium. One does not have to be an alcoholic to experience withdrawal symptoms. Medical treatment is with benzodiazepines, of which chlordiapoxide is the first choice. Treatment is managed by means of a score sheet based on close observation of the patient. Dependency on alcohol is a disease and not a defect of character, and the approach to these patients should be one of acceptance, professional and based on knowledge of the malady.

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