Alcohol Detoxification in Primary Care Treatment (ADEPT)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Once someone becomes dependent on alcohol (alcoholic), the risks of complications from
alcohol withdrawal when they stop drinking grow. These can include a life-threatening fit or
delirium tremens (see things, become frightened). To prevent such complications, people take
medication such as benzodiazepines (e.g., valium or librium) in reducing doses for about a
week; this is called detoxification or 'detox.' In the UK effective alcohol treatment exists
but little is known about what is the best detox medication. Alternative drugs to
benzodiazepines appear to protect the brain from the toxicity of alcohol withdrawal and to
reduce the likelihood of drinking again. This study will examine the feasibility of comparing
medication regimens for alcohol detox for the first time in primary care. It will include a
standard detox regimen (librium over 8 days) alone and together with a drug, acamprosate,
that has been shown to reduce toxicity of alcohol withdrawal in preclinical models and is
used after detox to help people remain sober. It will focus on the practicalities of doing
such a study as well as assessing how people feel (withdrawal symptoms) and do (drinking
during first month).