Preliminary Results From A Pilot Study - Intensive Case Management To Prevent Relapse Among Persons With Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium Tremens

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol withdrawal Delirium Tremens is a serious medical emergency. If not addressed, it could lead to serious complications including death. Given its manifestations and frequent accompaniment by seizures, interventions have been pharmacological in nature. Relapse prevention studies addressing this population are very sparse. In the current study, we report the results of a pilot study on Intensive Case Management for relapse prevention in persons with Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium. Methodology: A total of 10 patients were selected using a consecutive sampling technique. 5 patients received Intensive Case Management as an adjunct to routine treatment while the other 5 cases received treatment as usual (TAU). The patients were assessed at baseline, at 1 month post intervention and at 3 months post-intervention respectively. Outcome measures such as addiction severity, motivation, self efficacy and quality of life were assessed at different time points. Results: The ICM group showed better outcomes than the TAU group. 4 patients in the ICM group were abstinent while compared to 1 in the TAU group at the end of the 3 rd month follow up. All the patients in the ICM group were engaged in the treatment and showed better follow rates as compared to the TAU group where at the end of the study period 3 patients were lost to follow up. The ICM group showed better outcomes on readiness to change, self efficacy and quality of life at the end of 3 months. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that patients who received Intensive Case Management were engaged in treatment with higher retention rates and better outcomes. The results of the pilot study suggest that ICM is feasible to deliver after pharmacological treatment and may have some beneficial outcomes. Further systematic studies are warranted to test this intervention with larger groups and for long-term effects.