Although it is said that most patients do not need medication to withdraw from alcohol, in cases where medication is required, benzodiazepines can be prescribed. A three-step analysis plan for determining the patient's need for medication includes risk factors, patient attitude, and clinical patient damage caused by the consumption of alcohol. Symptomology and advice are given for light, medium, and heavy withdrawal symptoms using the drug, diazepam. Two medication plans offer exact dosages to be given by day and by hour for the light and medium symptoms; heavy symptoms require immediate inpatient hospitalization. Although most cases can be handled in a hospital, more severe cases may require institutional hospitalization; factors to look for in such cases are listed.