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Alcohol - problem drinking - Management
Factors affecting follow up
- After brief intervention for hazardous drinking:
- In people drinking slightly above recommended levels, consider follow up only at the next routine appointment, or sooner based on clinical judgement (for example in elderly people, or in people with a comorbidity such as hypertension, epilepsy, or dementia).
- In people drinking significantly above recommended levels, consider organizing a follow-up appointment based on clinical judgement, resources, and the person's choice, within 6 months. This will make sure the person is not lost to follow up, will encourage change, and provide a time frame to reach the agreed goal.
- People with hazardous drinking and no related problems may not have been aware of drinking above sensible levels, may not become engaged with the advice provided, or may not want to change their drinking behaviour. Therefore, it is important to address the impact of brief advice and determine whether further brief intervention is needed.
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