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Alcohol - problem drinking - Management
How should I assess a person who has a problem with alcohol?
- Confirm there is an alcohol problem using AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), and determine the level of the problem (that is, are drinking levels hazardous or harmful, or is there evidence of alcohol dependence?).
- Assess the person's physical, psychological, and social well-being.
- Ask questions about diet, exercise, mood, and physical symptoms of the complications of alcohol misuse.
- Determine the impact of the person's drinking on others (family, friends, children, and the wider community). Ask about:
- Work — number of sick days.
- Family life — financial worries, living arrangements.
- Relationships — with partners and children.
- Use of tobacco, cannabis, and illicit drugs.
- Problems with the legal authorities.
- Enquire about the person's motivation and readiness to change their drinking.
- It is important to determine the person's commitment to change, as this will influence the goals set (moderation versus abstinence), timing of the next follow-up appointment (earlier if unlikely to change), and the urgency of referral (if necessary).
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