<p>Alcohol intoxication is a major contributing factor for admission to A&amp;E departments. Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a serious and potentially fatal condition associated with chronic alcohol misuse and, according to Cook et al (1998), poorly managed by healthcare providers. This article will look at the pathophysiology of WE, its current management and treatment, and the management guidelines developed by the Royal College of Physicians (2001).</p>