Alcohol and the Hospitalized Patient

Med Clin North Am. 2020 Jul;104(4):681-694. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.02.007.

Abstract

Alcohol use is a common social and recreational activity in our society. Misuse of alcohol can lead to significant medical comorbidities that can affect essentially every organ system and lead to high health care costs and utilization. Heavy alcohol use across the spectrum from binge drinking and intoxication to chronic alcohol use disorder can lead to high morbidity and mortality both in the long and short term. Recognizing and treating common neurologic, gastrointestinal, and hematological manifestations of excess alcohol intake are essential for those who care for hospitalized patients. Withdrawal is among the most common and dangerous sequela associated with alcohol use disorder.

Keywords: Alcohol use disorder; Alcohol withdrawal; Alcoholic liver disease; Comorbidity; Cost; Hospitalized patients; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / economics
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Comorbidity
  • Gabapentin / therapeutic use
  • Hospitalization / economics*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Liver Diseases / etiology
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Benzodiazepines
  • Gabapentin