title: Alcoholism and its treatment approach from a citizen perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main objective of the study is to describe alcohol consumption in the general Spanish population, to discover citizens' opinion on their alcohol consumption, on alcoholism and on treatment approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2015 a cross-sectional study was carried out by means of a telephone survey. A representative sample was selected. Participants were asked about their alcohol consumption, their perception of risk regarding their pattern of alcohol consumption, about their opinion on alcoholism, alcohol consequences and the treatment approach. A questionnaire was designed. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C was used to define the pattern of alcohol intake. A descriptive and an statistical inference analysis were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  22.1% were classified as risky drinkers, with a higher proportion in young males. The majority of individuals think that alcoholism is an illness, and more than 75% agree that alcohol has negative consequences on health, social functioning, occupational functioning and family relationships. Furthermore, the perception of risk that citizens have regarding their own drinking pattern is high (37.6%). 67.7% considered that the general practitioner can manage alcoholism, with females and older people believing this most strongly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol consumption is very prevalent in the Spanish population, especially in young people (31.8%). The perception of alcohol risk is high. The majority agree with the fact that general practitioners are well prepared for treating alcohol problems.
authors.affiliation: Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clínic. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. IDIBAPS. Universitat de Barcelona. Red de Trastornos adictivos (RETICS). tgual@clinic.ub.es.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gual
authors.forename: José Ángel
authors.initials: JÁ
authors.lastname: Arbesú
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zarco
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: López Pelayo
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bobes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult