Unhealthy alcohol use: What is it? what can and shouldwe be doing about it in primary care settings?

Abstract

Unhealthy alcohol use is the spectrum from any use that risks health consequences, to use with consequences, to the diagnoses or disorders alcohol abuse (or harmful alcohol use) and alcohol dependence. Screening and brief intervention for those with unhealthy use are among the most effective and cost-effective services that can be delivered in primary care settings. Brief intervention can have a goal of cutting down or abstaining for those with non-dependent unhealthy use, and a goal of abstinence or further discussion and treatment including specialty and mutual help referrals for those who have dependence or unhealthy use that does not respond to brief counseling. Primary care clinciians should also be adept at prescribing pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence and managing alcohol withdrawal. How to best do all of this is the topic of this book that I expect will serve as a useful resource for primary care clinicians incorporating identification and management of unhealthy alcohol use into clinical practice.