Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale

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Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS) Calculator

Clinical calculator

Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS)

A 5-item bedside scale for documenting alcohol withdrawal symptoms and calculating a BAWS total score.

Score range: 0–15. Select one response for each of the five BAWS items. RASS can be recorded below for documentation, but it does not add points to the validated BAWS total.

Assessment

Base each selection on the current clinical examination. All five scored items are required.

Assess with arms extended and then at rest.
Observe visible sweating at the time of assessment.
Use the BAWS behavioural description; RASS may be documented separately.
Evaluate orientation to person, place, and time.
Consider visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations.
Document for clinical context only; this selection does not change the BAWS score.

RASS note: RASS is not one of the five scored BAWS domains. Record it here only when your local assessment workflow requires it.

BAWS total score

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0out of 15

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Score breakdown

  • Tremor—
  • Sweats—
  • Agitation—
  • Orientation—
  • Hallucinations—

Clinical-use reminder: BAWS supports structured assessment and does not replace clinical judgement. Escalate urgently for severe symptoms, delirium, seizures, unstable observations, or any immediate safety concern, and follow your local alcohol withdrawal protocol.

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