Alcohol

WHO SHOULD BE REFERRED

• All patients who screen positive (moderate and high risk patients) should be further evaluated and counseled on their drinking.
• The best course of action for drinkers who do not believe that they have a problem is a systematic assessment by the BHL, which could document the presence or absence of alcohol abuse, as well as other problems like depression.
• An important first step is distinguishing between alcohol dependence and alcohol misuse, as the treatments differ. Alcohol dependence is a chronic illness that requires long term management either through Alcohol Care Management or referral to specialty care. Alcohol misuse/at-risk drinking is a behavior that can often be changed with structured advice and monitoring (Brief Alcohol Intervention).

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