The severity of alcohol withdrawal is not age dependent

Age has been considered to contribute to the severity of the alcohol withdr awal syndrome (AWS). To evaluate the relationship between age and the sever ity of the AWS, we examined 723 alcoholics [518 males, 205 females, mean ag e (+/- SD): 42.8 +/- 10.5 years, mean duration of alcohol dependence: 11.0 +/- 8.0 years] consecutively referred to a unit for detoxification of alcoh olics in a general hospital. The severity of the AWS was assessed by the AW S scale of Wetterling et al. (1997; Alcohol and Alcoholism 32, 753-760). Th e history of alcohol abuse as well, as drinking behaviour in the last 6 mon ths was assessed by a semi-structured interview. There were 41 alcoholics a ged greater than or equal to 60 years; they were compared with younger pati ents. The average severity of AWS did not differ between age groups. Daily alcohol intake and frequency of drinking were higher in younger alcoholics, but even when adjustment was made for this, severity of AWS was equal in b oth age groups. A relationship between severity of AWS and age was not dete cted.