Many quantification instruments have been developed for monitoring alcohol withdrawal. No single instrument is significantly superior to the others. What is clear is that there are significant clinical advantages to quantifying the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Quantification is key to preventing excess morbidity and mortality in a group of patients who are at risk for alcohol withdrawal. Such instruments help clinical personnel recognize the process of withdrawal before it progresses to more advanced stages, such as delirium tremens. By intervening with appropriate pharmacotherapy in those patients who require it, while sparing the majority of patients whose syndromes do not progress to that point, the clinician can prevent over- and undertreatment of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Finally, by quantifying and monitoring the withdrawal process, the treatment regimen can be modified as needed.