title: Identifying and managing problem drinkers.
abstract: Problem drinking is far more common than severe alcohol dependence and is associated with considerable morbidity and health care costs. Whereas patients with alcohol dependence respond best to intensive treatment, one or more brief sessions of physician advice and counseling reduces alcohol consumption among problem drinkers. The two most useful tools to identify problem drinkers are the CAGE and the drinking problem question.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahan
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008487:Medical History Taking; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires