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Pharmacopsychiatry 2008; 41(4): 134-137
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1058106
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Treatment with Clomethiazole is Associated with Lower Rates of Premature Discharge during Alcohol Withdrawal

T. Hillemacher[*] 1 , C. Weinland[*] 1 , A. Heberlein 1 , J. Wilhelm 1 , K. Bayerlein 1 , J. Kornhuber 1 , H. Frieling 1 , S. Bleich 1
  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 14.06.2007 revised 21.12.2007

accepted 14.01.2008

Publication Date:
23 July 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Numerous investigations have shown that premature discharge against medical advice from alcohol detoxification treatment is associated with poor outcome. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of different possible influencing factors.

Patients and Method: 168 in-patients admitted for detoxification treatment were included in the study. All patients were detoxified using clome-thiazole and/or carbamazepine in individual, symptom-triggered dosages. Possible influencing factors were recorded using a standardised interview.

Results: Cox regression revealed a lower risk of premature discharge being significantly asso-ciated with few preceding withdrawals, intoxication at admission and treatment with clomethiazole. Kaplan-Meier survival statistics showed a significantly lower risk only for being treated with clomethiazole (premature discharge until day 7: χ2=25.07; p<0.001; premature discharge until day 14: χ2=5.19; p=0.023). Other included demographic factors like daily intake of ethanol before admission, duration of alcohol dependence, age or smoking status were not associated with the risk of premature discharge.

Discussion: The present findings show that pharmacotherapy with clomethiazole may positively influence the risk of premature discharge. This might be a consequence of the psychoactive properties of the drug which leads to positive reinforcement.

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1 Both authors contributed equally.

Correspondence

S. BleichMD 

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Schwabachanlage 6

91054 Erlangen

Germany

Phone: +49/9131/853 42 62

Fax: +49/9131/853 41 05

Email: stefan.bleich@uk-erlangen.de

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