The Use and Abuse of Tranquillizers in Alcoholics*

Summary The tranquillizers are valuable adjuncts in the treatment of alcoholism especially in the acute phases. However, one should remember that the attitude of a great many alcoholics towards drugs seems to be influenced by a feeling that if one pill does you some good, twice as much benefit would be derived from taking two pills. Therefore, whilst the doctor need not practise total abstinence from prescribing tranquillizers in the alcoholic's rehabilitation period he certainly should handle them with care and great moderation. I am much indebted to Miss I. Lumb, Chief Pharmacist of W.P.H., and to the nursing staff of wards H1 and A1, W.P.H. (especially Charge Nurse G. Thomas), for their help with the drug trials; and to Pharmaceutical Specialities (May and Baker) Ltd., Ciba Laboratories Ltd., and John Wyeth & Brother Ltd., for their supply of the inert control tablets.