Integrated Care for people who want Alcohol Detoxification in the middle of Denmark

Abstract

Introduction: Close to 0.6 million (10.4%) Danes abuse alcohol and of these more than 140.000 people have developed alcohol dependency. Everyday people who want to be detoxified acutely attend the Emergency-Department. Initiatives in the municipalities for acute-care seem scarcely used; this study will investigate how the municipalities' effort can be utilized in collaboration with other stakeholders in the care-system and how this influences the evaluation of the care. During the detoxification process the blood-alcohol-level is decreasing and it is necessary to observe the patient to ensure that he/she does not develop withdrawal-symptoms. Withdrawal-symptoms must be treated as they can develop to potential life-threatening delirium tremens and detoxification cramps. Left untreated any future withdrawal-symptoms will worsen and thereby increase the risk of future delirium tremens and cramps. Most important though is that the decision to stay sober is easier when one does not have wi