Are there situations when it is acceptable to discharge a patient with a long-acting benzodiazepine taper to manage resolving acute alcohol withdrawal?

As a hospitalist with experience in addiction medicine, I generally do not consider it appropriate to discharge patients with a benzodiazepine taper for alcohol withdrawal because of the risks of relapse, overdose, and worsening symptoms without close monitoring. In rare cases, it may be considered ...

Absolutely, but the only benzodiazepine I would use is Librium (chlordiazepoxide) due to its excellent safety profile in selected patients. There are some contraindications. If they do drink again, it is much safer than lorazepam or diazepam. As long as there's a good plan in place to meet shared go...