Placebo and analgesic nitrous oxide for treatment of the alcohol withdrawal state.

Abstract

We present evidence that analgesic (as distinct from anaesthetic) nitrous oxide is superior to placebo in the treatment of the alcohol withdrawal state. 'Carbogen' as a placebo is as effective as oxygen or medical air. However, placebo alone offers a means of treating the alcohol withdrawal state with a minimum of pharmacological intervention. Analgesic nitrous oxide for those not responding to placebo is a very rapid, effective, and extremely safe treatment which also reduces the use of highly addictive sedative pharmacological agents. This therapy also provides a rapid method of screening those patients requiring intensive monitoring and treatment in hospital from those who might benefit from out-patient therapy alone.