Primary Care Management of Alcohol Misuse

Med Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;99(5):989-1016. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2015.05.004.

Abstract

More than one in four American adults consume alcohol in quantities exceeding recommended limits. One in 12 have an alcohol use disorder marked by harmful consequences. Both types of alcohol misuse contribute to acute injury and chronic disease, making alcohol the third largest cause of preventable death in the United States. Alcohol misuse alters the management of common conditions from insomnia to anemia. Primary care providers should screen adult patients to identify the full spectrum of alcohol misuse. A range of effective treatments are available - from brief counselling interventions and mutual help groups to medications and behavioral therapies.

Keywords: Alcohol abuse; Alcohol dependence; Alcohol misuse; Alcohol screening; Alcohol treatment; Alcohol use disorder; Brief intervention; Unhealthy alcohol use.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Alcoholism* / complications
  • Alcoholism* / diagnosis
  • Alcoholism* / physiopathology
  • Alcoholism* / psychology
  • Alcoholism* / therapy
  • Behavior Therapy / methods
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control
  • Disease Management*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Primary Health Care / methods
  • Treatment Outcome