Abstract

A PERUSAL ON ACUTE ALCOHOL ABSTINENCE AND ITS IMPACT WITH RESPECT TO COVID-19 SETTINGS

Anoop V. Somarajan*, Sowparnika Treasa Sabu and Shaiju S. Dharan

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes corona virus disease (COVID-19) and was first noticed in December 2019 in Wuhan city, China which then later mushroomed to major provinces in China and then Worldwide. The first COVID-19 case in India was reported on 30 January 2020. The government of India implemented lockdown for 21 days on 24 March 2020. The activities like those related to food, groceries, healthcare, communication and basic amenities were the only few which aided the society during the period. The practice or promotion of abstinence from alcohol and related products is called Teetotalism. Acute unavailability of alcohol in addicts or heavy drinkers produced Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS). Kerala witnessed a considerable number of suicides with respect to alcohol withdrawal, with six such deaths as against two attributed to Covid-19, as on April 1, 2020. Initial Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms (tremors, nausea, diaphoresis, hyperthermia, vomiting, hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnoea) and Delirium tremens is the most severe. Identification of AWS symptoms and The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Revised (CIWA-Ar) is better tools to diagnose AWS. A strategy like Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, 2020 services shall be contemplated, to proffer information and to furnish information to usher patients in gauging risk of severe AWS, especially during COVID-19 and kindred.

Keywords: Teetotalism; Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS); CIWA-Ar.