Alcohol misuse and dependence. Assessment and management.
BACKGROUND
General practitioners play a vital role in the prevention of alcohol related morbidity and mortality. The earlier an alcohol problem is diagnosed, the better the treatment outcome.


OBJECTIVE
This article aims to provide GPs with practical guidelines on the assessment and management of patients with hazardous alcohol use and dependence.


CONCLUSIONS
There is good evidence that early and brief intervention by a GP is most effective in reducing alcohol consumption in patients with hazardous or harmful drinking. In patients with alcohol dependence, pharmacotherapies such as naltrexone and acamprosate, in conjunction with a comprehensive rehabilitation program, are beneficial in a proportion of patients.
Latt
Noeline
N
Herbert Street Drug and Alcohol Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital. nlatt@mail.usyd.edu.au
Saunders
John B
JB
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000145:classification; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents