Yeah, I agree with atalose, on this point. I would give alcohol to an alcoholic in withdrawl (especially with a prior history of seizures), especially if there were no other kinds of meds available to treat the withdrawl symptoms.
It is not uncommon for detox centers to tell patients to get a drink under their belts before they come to the center....because, it decreases the amounts of seizures and other drastic occurances in the hospital lobby and waiting rooms while the patient is getting admitted.....