Toxicological Emergencies

Chronic Alcohol Use
Often, chronic drinkers will not take in other forms of nourishment, getting most of their calories from alcohol. This sets up the patient for chronic health problems and nutritional deficiencies.  

Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome is caused by a thiamine deficiency.  It is an encephalopathy that presents as a mental status change such as confusion, stupor or coma.  [24][25][26]