ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the rationale for a home detoxification (HD) service, describe the characteristics of the Exeter Community Alcohol Team (CAT) approach and discuss the practical problems and pitfalls in setting up such a service. few experimental studies of both laboratory animals and social drinkers indicate that the threshold for minor withdrawal symptoms may be lower than many people realise. The mildly dependent problem drinker may be aware of some anxiety and slight tremulousness in his or her hands - especially when performing fine movements requiring careful coordination e.g. writing or pouring a cup of tea. An occasional medical complication of alcohol withdrawal in the severely alcohol dependent drinker is the occurrence of grand mal fits. Loss of appetite, which frequently accompanies withdrawal from alcohol, may contribute towards thiamine deficiency in producing this clinical syndrome. In the United States, most discussion of non-residential detoxification focuses upon medical out-patient settings.
