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A Structured Programme for Out-patient Alcohol Detoxification

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Mark N. Collins ,
Tom Burns ,
Peter A. H. Van Den Berk  and
Gary F. Tubman
Mark N. Collins
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Jenner Wing, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE
Tom Burns*
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, London
Peter A. H. Van Den Berk
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, London
Gary F. Tubman
Affiliation:
Springfield Hospital, London
*
∗ Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Jenner Wing, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE
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Abstract

An out-patient alcohol detoxification service based in a psychiatric emergency clinic is described. Of 173 patients referred during the first year, 76 (44%) were accepted for the programme; 60 (79%) of these successfully completed detoxification with no medical complications. Compared with previous years, during the year of operation of the service there was a 50% fall in the number of in-patient admissions for detoxification to the local hospital. We conclude that a structured out-patient detoxification programme is safe and effective, and may obviate the need for many patients to be admitted, freeing psychiatric beds for other uses.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 156 , Issue 6 , June 1990 , pp. 871 - 874
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1990 

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