PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Darren Quelch AU - Mark Pucci AU - Alexander Marsh AU - Jamie Coleman AU - Sally Bradberry TI - Elective alcohol detoxification – a resource and efficacy evaluation AID - 10.7861/futurehosp.6-2-137 DP - 2019 Jun 01 TA - Future Healthcare Journal PG - 137--142 VI - 6 IP - 2 4099 - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/6/2/137.short 4100 - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/6/2/137.full SO - Future Healthc J2019 Jun 01; 6 AB - An evaluation was performed to assess efficacy and resource utilisation of an elective inpatient alcohol detoxification service at a large inner-city teaching hospital. Abstinence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months post-detoxification were 68.1, 44.7 and 36.2%, respectively. Relapse was associated with referrals from acute hospital services, previous detoxifications, longer time between referral and admission for detoxification, presence of alcohol in the blood on the day of admission and requirement for benzodiazepines during withdrawal. The service operates within the national 18-week referral target and runs at a cost substantially lower than that of residential alcohol detoxification facilities but with similar sobriety rates.We demonstrate that elective detoxification with specialist follow-up provides an effective service both in terms of patient outcomes and resource use. Further investment in these services at both local and national level should be considered.