title: Problem drinking - detection and assessment in general practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol has long been an integral part of the social life of many Australians. However, alcohol is associated with significant harm to drinkers, and also to nondrinkers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article explores the role of the general practitioner in the detection and assessment of problem drinking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excessive alcohol use is a major public health problem and the majority of people who drink excessively go undetected. General practitioners are in a good position to detect excessive alcohol consumption; earlier intervention can help improve outcomes. AUDIT-C is an effective screening tool for the detection of problem drinking. National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines suggest that no more than two standard drinks on each occasion will keep lifetime risk of death from alcohol related disease or injury at a low level. Once an alcohol problem is detected it is important to assess for alcohol dependence, other substance use, motivation to change, psychiatric comorbidities and examination and investigation findings that may be associated with excessive alcohol use. A comprehensive assessment of the impact and risk of harm of the patient's drinking to themselves and others is vital, and may require several consultations.
authors.affiliation: The Langton Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales. demirkolster@gmail.com
authors.forename: Apo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demirkol
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haber
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Conigrave
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D018570:Risk Assessment