Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the most serious complications associated with chronic alcoholism. Sudden deaths are not uncommon in an Alcohol withdrawal syndrome. In severe stages of Alcohol withdrawal syndrome, delirium tremens occurs, which is characterized with agitation, confusion, disorientation, visual and auditory hallucinations in addition to autonomic hyperactivity. A 36-year-old male chronic and heavy alcohol drinker for 15 years abstained from alcohol for 3 days. Consequently, he started having palpitations, sweating and tremors with the complaints of nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, disturbed sleep, headache, restlessness, fatigue, constipation as alcohol withdrawal symptoms. There were no
psychotic symptoms, no suicidal ideas, and no obsessions or compulsions. He was treated on an outpatient level with combination of Ayurvedic internal medications and procedures for 60 days and is on follow up till date. The patient was treated with kharjuradi manth, ashvagandha churna, vidharigandha churna, muktashukti, drakashaasav, Brahmi vati, syrup shankhpushpi, taruni kusmakar churna & procedures like Shirodhara with Brahmi Him & nasya with jatamansi tail. The treatment approaches to improve the condition of a patient with improvement in sign and symptoms of alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal and to increase metabolism. The resulting assessment is done based on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol revised scale (CIWA-Ar score) and the Questionnaire. After the comprehensive Ayurvedic intervention, there was a complete remission of symptoms with normal hematological parameters. Hence presenting this case is evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatment in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.
Key words: alcohol dependence, Padansikakrama, CIWA score
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