Abstract: Objective: To investigate the different impact of half-open and restricted visiting policy on symptoms and complications in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Methods: Forty-five patients with AWS were divided into half-open group (n=28) and restricted group (n=17). Clinical symptoms and adverse reaction between two groups were compared. Results: CAM-ICU score on day 3 in half-open group was significantly lower than restricted group (P<0.05),and AWS scale score, CAM-ICU score, SDS score and SAS score on day 7 in half-open group were also significantly lower than restricted group (P<0.05). In half-open group, ICU stay, AWS duration, and usage of sedative drugs were significantly lower compared to restricted group (P<0.05), while there was no difference of hospital acquired infection rate.The occurrence of injury and suicidal ideation in half-open group was significanty lower compared to restricted group.Conclusions: Half-open visiting policy could improve the state of AWS, decrease the occurrence of accidents, but have no effect on hospital infection. It can be used as reference in terms of creating visiting policy in ICU in future.