Guide for physicians launched to help them identify alcohol disorders

A new guide to help physicians identify and treat patients with alcohol disorders have been launched by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US.

Alcohol disorders often go undetected in people. The new guide describes effective methods for early screenings and interventions, meant for helping the physicians and patients. When correct method of screening is coupled with appropriate interventions, research reports have showed that then it becomes possible to reduce drinking levels and alcohol related health problems significantly.

According to the new guide, the screening for alcohol is a single question about heavy drinking days. 5 or more drinks for man and 4 or more drinks for woman is the criteria that marks the day for drinking heavily. The guide shows how to assess the symptoms of alcohol disorder and the related problems, to find out if the patient is a heavy drinker or is only at an increased risk from moderate drinking. The new guide is not only going to be effective for general practitioners but also for the mental health clinicians as well. Often alcoholism is associated with mental health problems and is diagnosed by the mental health medical professionals first.

Reference: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, press release, July 2005