The management of the heavy drinker in primary care

Abstract

More than 55 000 Australians drink alcohol at levels that could endanger their long-term health. Each year, around 3700 die due to complications of alcohol use. In 1992, alcohol abuse was estimated to cost Australian society $145 million in direct health costs and $767 million in road accident costs. General practitioners are well placed to identify patients who drink heavily. They can treat them with the help of some of the many community services.