Print Print
CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Alcohol - problem drinking - Management
Basis for recommendation

Recommendations for referral are based on the public health guidance Alcohol-use disorders: preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking, published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) [NICE, 2010c], and The management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in primary care, published by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) national guideline [SIGN, 2003].

  • NICE states that 'those who are moderately or severely alcohol dependent are likely to need specialist help'. Referral is also recommended for people who have experienced physical harm from alcohol (for example liver damage) [NICE, 2010a] or mental health problems [SIGN, 2003] (see Scenario: Dependence on alcohol).

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement