ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the evidence showing that problem drinkers can be identified in general hospitals. It has proved difficult to conduct randomised controlled studies in problem drinkers to compare the effect of intervention versus no intervention. In the general ward the problem drinker has often not yet begun to see his problem as alcohol-related or accept that it would be advisable to alter his drinking habits; he may be very resistant to the physician’s advice. There is no dearth of evidence for the association of alcohol consumption with physical illness and injury. In summary, however, even in screening general hospital populations, where it is more commonly physical harm from alcohol that is the cause for admission as opposed to social or personal harm in psychiatric clinics, physical tests and examination are no substitute for an enquiry into drinking habits and history of problems from drinking.
