Impairment in cognitive functions after multiple detoxifications in alcoholic inpatients.

Background: Repeated experience of withdrawal from alcohol results in a kindling-like process leading to increased likelihood and severity of convulsions during detoxification. The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated withdrawals affect cognitive function.

Methods: We investigated alcoholic patients undergoing detoxification in an inpatient setting, using tasks sensitive to dysfunction of prefrontal areas.

Kindling of withdrawal: a study of craving and anxiety after multiple detoxifications in alcoholic inpatients.

Background: The increased severity of withdrawal during successive detoxifications from alcohol is well documented for seizures, but the importance of the number of withdrawal events for other withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and for alcohol craving is not known. Studies in animals are consistent with increases in reinforcing properties of alcohol with a greater number of withdrawal experiences. Thus, we predicted that patients who had undergone multiple detoxifications would show greater desire for alcohol and might experience more anxiety compared with patients with fewer detoxifications or compared with social drinkers.