EXAMPLE PROTOCOL

When to Start – If there is a history of prolonged or unknown heavy alcohol over the past 12 hours.
Check CIWA-Ar every hour.

If history of withdrawal seizures, then:

20mg of diazepam every hour for 3 hours (ie.. total of 60mg given), then:

If CIWA > 10, then provide 20mg of diazepam

If no history of withdrawal seizures, then:

If CIWA > 10, then provide 20mg of diazepam

If severe respiratory disease, asthma, liver failure, then can use 1-2mg of lorazepam instead of 20mg of diazepam.

When to Stop – If three consecutive CIWA-Ar readings < 10