N/A
Completed N=30
Remote Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol Withdrawal
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04858490 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
30
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
May 2026
Primary outcomePrimary: Retention in Treatment — 28 Participants — p=0.0021
Summary
This study will evaluate the feasibility of delivering symptom-triggered alcohol withdrawal management by telemedicine and determine whether this intervention is satisfactory to patients.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Retention in Treatment |
28 | 0.0021 sig |
| PRIMARY Transfer to a Higher Level of Care |
— | 0.0012 sig |
| SECONDARY Patient Satisfaction With the Treatment Protocol |
30.9 | — |
| SECONDARY Patient Satisfaction With the Telemedicine Platform |
45.1 | — |
| SECONDARY Duration of Active Withdrawal Treatment |
2.4 | — |
| SECONDARY Requirement of Benzodiazepines |
27 | — |
| SECONDARY Diazepam Dose |
30; 20; 10 | — |
| SECONDARY Withdrawal Severity |
12.1; 9.4; 6.6 | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Adults 18 years and older
- Are actively using alcohol
- Previously met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) B criteria for alcohol withdrawal
- Aim to achieve at least 30 days of abstinence as a treatment goal following initiation of remote alcohol withdrawal management
- Are able to provide informed consent in English.
- Reside or are able to stay at an address within 2-hours travelling distance from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for the entire duration of the remote withdrawal procedure
- Are enrolled in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Exclusion Criteria
- History of complicated withdrawal including withdrawal seizures, hallucinosis, or delirium
- Positive UDS for sedatives or opioids, currently prescribed sedatives or opioids, or diagnosis of sedative-hypnotic or opioid use disorder within the past year (based on assessment). Individuals prescribed low doses of benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam 1mg PO daily) or with a positive urine benzodiazepine screen that is not thought to be due to benzodiazepine misuse may be permitted to proceed with the study at the discretion of the study physician.
- Severe medical or psychiatric comorbidity that would prevent safe participation in the study
- Contraindications to the safe use of diazepam including: known hypersensitivity to diazepam severe respiratory insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency, sleep apnea syndrome, acute narrow-angle glaucoma, and myasthenia gravis. Individuals with sleep apnea may be permitted to proceed with the study at the discretion of the study physician.
- Active withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-Ar > 12) at the time of the eligibility assessment
- Active suicidal ideation at the time of eligibility assessment
- Positive urine pregnancy test, actively breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed during the study period
- Lack of stable housing
- Enrollment in another study that conflicts with the procedures or scientific integrity of this study
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04858490). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.