<p>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has issued an advisory to immediately admit and give treatment to people with "severe" alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown.</p>.<p> In the advisory, the ministry said as liquor shops are shut during the lockdown, it "may be a blessing in disguise for those who may utilise this opportunity to quit drinking altogether".</p>.<p>The advisory was prepared in association with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDC) at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).</p>.<p>However, it is also a significant challenge for some people with alcohol dependence who are at risk of experiencing "severe alcohol withdrawal" and its consequences, it said.</p>.<p>In the 'severe' category, the affected people might get seizures (convulsions), delirium tremens, comprised of confusion, disturbed level of consciousness, impaired awareness of surroundings, hallucinations and abnormal behaviour, and wernicke-korsakoff syndrome - a variety of neurological and cognitive symptoms, especially common in malnourished patients.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-india-sees-lowest-daily-growth-rate-tally-crosses-26k-concerns-mount-over-maharashtra-827545.html?_ga=2.241706946.112836468.1587893299-1897853262.1587057442" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>Such "severe" patients require emergency medical care and hospitalisation, the advisory stated.</p>.<p>The symptoms for 'mild or moderate' affected are classified into 'psychological' and 'psychological and physical' categories.</p>.<p>The 'psychological' category patients will have anxiety, irritability, restlessness, craving, and an irresistible urge to consume liquor. Majority of them will get better within a few days with adequate fluids and nutritional supplementation, it said.</p>.<p>Those with psychological and physical symptoms may have difficulty in sleeping, tremors, increased sweating, palpitations, headache, stomach upset and poor appetite.</p>.<p>Such patients should visit the nearest clinic for prescription of appropriate medicines of benzodiazepine group (such as diazepam or lorazepam) and high doses of vitamin B (particularly thiamine, vitamin B1), the advisory said.</p>.<p>People can contact toll-free helpline number 1800110031 for more details and assitance, the ministry said.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has issued an advisory to immediately admit and give treatment to people with "severe" alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown.</p>.<p> In the advisory, the ministry said as liquor shops are shut during the lockdown, it "may be a blessing in disguise for those who may utilise this opportunity to quit drinking altogether".</p>.<p>The advisory was prepared in association with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDC) at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).</p>.<p>However, it is also a significant challenge for some people with alcohol dependence who are at risk of experiencing "severe alcohol withdrawal" and its consequences, it said.</p>.<p>In the 'severe' category, the affected people might get seizures (convulsions), delirium tremens, comprised of confusion, disturbed level of consciousness, impaired awareness of surroundings, hallucinations and abnormal behaviour, and wernicke-korsakoff syndrome - a variety of neurological and cognitive symptoms, especially common in malnourished patients.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-india-sees-lowest-daily-growth-rate-tally-crosses-26k-concerns-mount-over-maharashtra-827545.html?_ga=2.241706946.112836468.1587893299-1897853262.1587057442" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>Such "severe" patients require emergency medical care and hospitalisation, the advisory stated.</p>.<p>The symptoms for 'mild or moderate' affected are classified into 'psychological' and 'psychological and physical' categories.</p>.<p>The 'psychological' category patients will have anxiety, irritability, restlessness, craving, and an irresistible urge to consume liquor. Majority of them will get better within a few days with adequate fluids and nutritional supplementation, it said.</p>.<p>Those with psychological and physical symptoms may have difficulty in sleeping, tremors, increased sweating, palpitations, headache, stomach upset and poor appetite.</p>.<p>Such patients should visit the nearest clinic for prescription of appropriate medicines of benzodiazepine group (such as diazepam or lorazepam) and high doses of vitamin B (particularly thiamine, vitamin B1), the advisory said.</p>.<p>People can contact toll-free helpline number 1800110031 for more details and assitance, the ministry said.</p>