CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol)

The CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol) is a standardized tool used by healthcare providers to measure the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It assesses various signs such as sweating, nausea, anxiety, trembling, agitation, and hallucinations. By assigning scores to these symptoms, clinicians can determine how intense the withdrawal is and decide on appropriate treatment. This helps ensure safe and effective management, reducing the risk of severe complications like seizures or delirium tremens. Essentially, CIWA-Ar guides doctors in monitoring and adjusting care during alcohol detoxification.