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Alcohol - problem drinking - Management
Additional information
- An active request for help (either from the person, or through friends or relatives) is more likely in people with harmful drinking or alcohol dependence. People who are hazardous drinkers will not usually seek medical help, even though they may be aware that their drinking is putting them at risk.
- Incidental findings (no request for help) may include:
- Abnormal blood tests such as a raised gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). These may alert a healthcare professional to an alcohol problem.
- Signs of an alcohol problem, such as dilated facial capillaries, bloodshot eyes, or hand tremor.
- Symptoms suggestive of a possible alcohol problem — professionals should be aware of the complications and comorbid diseases associated with an alcohol problem, or have a raised suspicion of an alcohol problem based on an individual's behaviour (for example use of illicit drugs, smelling of alcohol in consultations, numerous accidents, or requesting numerous sick notes). Recognizing these cues should initiate further questioning and the opportunistic (targeted) detection of a potential alcohol problem.
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