hardpolysubstance withdrawalalcohol withdrawalbenzodiazepine withdrawalopioid withdrawalmedical prioritizationbuprenorphine
A 42-year-old man presents to an inpatient withdrawal management unit with daily use of alcohol (approximately one fifth of vodka daily for 8 years), alprazolam 6 mg daily obtained illicitly for 3 years, and intravenous heroin use for 5 years. His last alcohol and alprazolam use was 18 hours ago, and his last heroin use was 12 hours ago. He is currently tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardic at 112 bpm, and reports severe anxiety, myalgias, and nausea. His CIWA-Ar score is 18 and his COWS score is 14. When developing the withdrawal management plan, which approach is most appropriate for prioritizing and managing these concurrent withdrawals?