Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is scientifically validated as an essential treatment in alcoholism, particularly to prevent and manage Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a potentially fatal neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Chronic alcohol consumption interferes with thiamine absorption, storage, and utilization. This leads to a high prevalence of thiamine deficiency in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Deficiency of thiamine can result in Wernicke's encephalopathy, which is characterized by confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia, and if left untreated, can progress to Korsakoff's psychosis, a chronic and debilitating condition affecting memory. Numerous clinical guidelines (including those from the World Health Organization and major medical societies) recommend routine thiamine supplementation in patients with alcohol dependence, especially before administering glucose, as glucose administration in thiamine-deficient patients can precipitate Wernicke's encephalopathy. The evidence for thiamine's benefit is strong, and its use is standard of care in the medical management of alcoholism and its complications. Thiamine is typically administered parenterally (intravenously or intramuscularly) in acute settings due to impaired gastrointestinal absorption in these patients. Overall, the use of thiamine in alcoholism is supported by robust scientific evidence, clinical observation, and intervention studies.

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