Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: June | Volume: 7 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 211-217
Assessment of Quality of Life in Latent Alcoholics
Steffi. P. Mascarenhas1, Dnyanesh Pramod Patil1, Manali Jain2, Unnati Pandit3
1Assistant Professor, 2Physiotherapist, 3Professor & Director,
D Y Patil University, School of Physiotherapy, Navi-Mumbai
Corresponding Author: Steffi. P. Mascarenhas
ABSTRACT
Background: Alcohol being termed as a depressant slows down the body’s function. Alcohol dependency consists of symptoms like craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms (AWS) like nausea, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, tactile, auditory & visual disturbances, headaches, agitation, clouding of sensorium are seen after heavy alcohol intake mainly 1-3 days after the last drink. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life in latent alcoholics using Clinical Institute Of Withdrawal Assessment Alcohol Revised (CIWA-Ar) and Life Situation Survey (LSS).
Methodology: 100 latent alcoholics since 4 weeks between 21-60 years were selected for the study. The subjects were assessed using the CIWA-Ar and LSS questionnaire.
Results: 69% of subjects scored less than 10 and 31% scored more than 10 on the CIWA-Ar scale. 76% of subjects have a very good quality of life followed by 9% having good quality of life and 15% having poor quality of life after alcohol withdrawal.
Conclusion: Anxiety followed by paroxysmal sweats & headaches were some of the common symptoms persisting after 4 weeks. But on the whole their quality of life was found to be very good.
Key words: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms, CIWA-Ar scale, LSS