Addressing Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care

This book is written for primary care clinicians dealing with the psychological aspects of alcohol abuse and addiction. Covers assessment, brief counseling interventions, pharmacotherapy, referrals to specialty care and self-help programs, and much more.

While there is a wealth of published information on addiction medicine, the psychological aspects of alcohol abuse, and behavioral medicine with regard to addiction, virtually none of these resources were written with the primary care provider in mind. Addressing Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care is a resource for primary care clinicians who are confronted by patients with these problems daily, and who wish to successfully address these issues in their practice. It would focus on the literature and science relevant to primary care practice and cover the range of interventions appropriate for this setting. Topics include assessment, brief counseling interventions, pharmacotherapy, referrals to both specialty care and Alcoholics Anonymous (and other self-help programs), psychiatric co-morbidity and other drug use, and other information specific to the needs of the primary care provider.

Editor has published extensively in addiction medicine There is currently no other book on the market that looks at unhealthy alcohol use from the perspective of primary care Written specifically to address the needs of the practicing physician

Inhalt
Introduction and definitions.- Screening.- Assessment.- Brief counseling interventions.- Longitudinal management of nondependent use.- Utility of laboratory testing.- Pharmacotherapy for dependence.- Making effective referrals to specialty care.- Making effective referrals to Alcoholics Anonymous (and other mutual self-help programs).- Management of patients in recovery.- Managing pain and other medical conditions.- Medical consequences.- Psychiatric comorbidity.- Other drug use (opiods, cocaine).- Preventative care.- "Moderate" drinking risks and benefits.- Use of electronic and other self-help materials.- Practice systems and implementation.- Confidentiality.- Other ethical and legal issues (e.g. driving).- Physicians with unhealthy alcohol use.- Hospital management.- Perioperative management.- Appendix (screening and assessment tools, list of resources).