Restraints. The critically ill patient experiencing moderate to severe AWS symptoms may require both chemical and physical restraints to avoid injury. Benzodiazepines (midazolam and lorazepam), which can cause severe somnolence, hypotension and respiratory depression, are the most commonly used drugs in AWS. The patient should be appropriately monitored and emergency airway equipment kept at the bedside. Low-dose oral benzodiazepines are preferred if the patient is in no immediate danger and cooperative. For those who require intravenous (IV) or intramuscular benzodiazepines, the fastest onset is obtained with IV midazolam (two to three minutes) versus lorazepam (one to five minutes).(11) The goal of the chemical restraint is to control agitation and the patient’s immediate threat behavior to himself and others.