Synopsis

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

Thiamine (vitamin B1) supplementation is strongly supported by scientific evidence for use in individuals with alcoholism. Chronic alcohol consumption impairs thiamine absorption, storage, and utilization, leading to a high risk of thiamine deficiency in those with alcohol use disorder. Thiamine deficiency in this population can result in serious neurological complications, most notably Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and, if left untreated, Korsakoff syndrome (KS), together known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). These are life-threatening and involve confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and profound memory impairment.

Numerous clinical guidelines, including those from the World Health Organization and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), recommend routine thiamine supplementation for individuals with chronic alcoholism, especially during acute withdrawal or hospitalization. Parenteral thiamine is often advised in cases where absorption may be impaired or symptoms of deficiency are suspected. The goal is prevention and treatment of neurological damage, which can be irreversible if not addressed promptly.

Multiple controlled studies and decades of clinical experience demonstrate that thiamine supplementation can prevent and, in the early stages, reverse Wernicke encephalopathy. Thus, the use of thiamine in people with alcoholism is scientifically validated, evidence-based, and considered a standard of care in medical practice.

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