What are the limitations of the CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal)?

While the CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal) is highly validated, it should not replace clinical judgment. OpiCalc provides the latest evidence-based limitations for the CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal) to ensure safe bedside use and optimal diagnostic accuracy.

How does the CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal) compare to other Psychiatry scores?

The CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal) is a gold-standard diagnostic tool. OpiCalc provides side-by-side clinical guidance to help clinicians choose the most specific evidence-based tool for their patient's presentation.

Is the CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal) free to use?

Yes. OpiCalc provides the CIWA Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal) completely ad-free and optimized for mobile bedside use, ensuring you can calculate medical risk swiftly and without distraction.

CIWA-Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal)

CIWA-Ar: Clinician-administered every 4–8 hours during alcohol withdrawal. Guides benzodiazepine dosing. Intermediate scores (non-anchor points) are valid — use clinical judgement to interpolate.

Nausea / Vomiting (0–7)

Ask: "Do you feel sick to your stomach? Have you vomited?" Observe.

Tremor (0–7)

Arms extended, fingers spread. Observe.

Paroxysmal Sweats (0–7)

Observe.

Anxiety (0–7)

Ask: "Do you feel nervous?" Observe.

Agitation (0–7)

Observe.

Tactile Disturbances (0–7)

Ask: "Have you any itching, pins and needles sensations, any burning, any numbness, or do you feel bugs crawling on or under your skin?"

Auditory Disturbances (0–7)

Ask: "Are you more aware of sounds around you? Are they harsh? Do you hear anything that is disturbing to you? Are you hearing things you know are not there?"

Visual Disturbances (0–7)

Ask: "Does the light appear to be too bright? Is its colour different? Does it hurt your eyes? Are you seeing anything that is disturbing to you? Are you seeing things you know are not there?"

Headache / Fullness in Head (0–7)

Ask: "Does your head feel different? Does it feel like there is a band around your head?" Do not rate for dizziness or lightheadedness.

Orientation / Clouding of Sensorium (0–4)

Ask: "What day is this? Where are you? Who am I?"

No clinical reference data available.

CIWA-Ar (Alcohol Withdrawal)

CIWA-Ar: Clinician-administered every 4–8 hours during alcohol withdrawal. Guides benzodiazepine dosing. Intermediate scores (non-anchor points) are valid — use clinical judgement to interpolate.

Nausea / Vomiting (0–7)

Ask: "Do you feel sick to your stomach? Have you vomited?" Observe.

Tremor (0–7)

Arms extended, fingers spread. Observe.

Paroxysmal Sweats (0–7)

Observe.

Anxiety (0–7)

Ask: "Do you feel nervous?" Observe.

Agitation (0–7)

Observe.

Tactile Disturbances (0–7)

Ask: "Have you any itching, pins and needles sensations, any burning, any numbness, or do you feel bugs crawling on or under your skin?"

Auditory Disturbances (0–7)

Ask: "Are you more aware of sounds around you? Are they harsh? Do you hear anything that is disturbing to you? Are you hearing things you know are not there?"

Visual Disturbances (0–7)

Ask: "Does the light appear to be too bright? Is its colour different? Does it hurt your eyes? Are you seeing anything that is disturbing to you? Are you seeing things you know are not there?"

Headache / Fullness in Head (0–7)

Ask: "Does your head feel different? Does it feel like there is a band around your head?" Do not rate for dizziness or lightheadedness.

Orientation / Clouding of Sensorium (0–4)

Ask: "What day is this? Where are you? Who am I?"

No clinical reference data available.