The initial management of alcoholism using oxygen and nitrous oxide: a transcultural study.
G Daynes
International Journal of Neuroscience November 1989 DOI: 10.3109/00207458909087042 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Consecutive patients, mainly of Zulu origin and of both sexes, with chronic alcoholism in a mainly rural setting |
| Intervention | Nitrous oxide/oxygen therapy |
| Key findings | The author reports that most of 150 patients with chronic alcoholism improved rapidly and substantially after nitrous oxide/oxygen therapy, with gains maintained and earlier entry into rehabilitation. The treatment was also reported to reduce benzodiazepine sedative use during hospitalization and to relieve craving, with no adverse side effects and no impairment of consciousness. |
Abstract
This study confirms the value of analgesic nitrous oxide/oxygen therapy for initial management of alcoholism in a mainly rural cohort. The gas administration at no time impairs consciousness. 150 consecutive patients, mainly of Zulu origin (of both sexes) suffering from chronic alcoholism were treated with nitrous oxide/oxygen mixtures. The majority of patients showed significant and extremely rapid improvement, which was maintained and resulted in early entry into the rehabilitation programme. This method resulted in a considerable reduction in addictive sedative benzodiazepine medication during their hospital stay. The treatment also provided relief from craving. I conclude that the incorporation of this therapy into the management of chronic alcoholism is a useful, safe and effective adjunct without adverse side effects.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Toward a Comparative Overview of Dependence Potential and Acute Toxicity of Psychoactive Substances Used Nonmedically The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 1993
- Mini-Review: A Brief History of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Use in Neuropsychiatry Current Drug Research Reviews June 1, 2019
- Psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide for alcoholic withdrawal states. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews April 18, 2007
- Analgesic nitrous oxide for alcohol withdrawal: a critical appraisal after 10 years' use. Postgraduate Medical Journal July 1990