How is chronic alcoholic encephalopathy treated?
Disease description:
I usually enjoy drinking alcohol and have been unable to quit despite wanting to. Recently, I’ve consistently felt physically fatigued and dizzy. After reading online, I suspect I may have chronic alcoholic encephalopathy. Could you please advise on how this condition should be treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Chronic alcoholic encephalopathy: The primary recommendation is abstinence from alcohol. During treatment, abrupt cessation of alcohol intake may trigger withdrawal symptoms in patients with more severe disease. In such cases, benzodiazepines—which exhibit cross-dependence with alcohol—may be used as a substitute; once substitution is successfully achieved, the medication can then be gradually tapered and discontinued. Alternatively, aversion therapy may be employed: apomorphine hydrochloride is administered by injection; just before the patient experiences nausea or vomiting, they are given one glass of alcohol. This procedure is repeated daily or every other day to establish a conditioned vomiting reflex in response to alcohol or its odor, thereby achieving abstinence.
