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. 1983 Dec;33(257):787–791.

Early intervention for alcohol problems

Harvey A Skinner, Stephen Holt
PMCID: PMC1971080  PMID: 6361249

Abstract

Despite awareness of the wide variety of clinical and laboratory abnormalities associated with alcohol abuse, drinking problems often remain undetected in clinical practice. There is increasing evidence that problem drinking can be successfully treated by brief intervention. The general practitioner is in a good position to identify patients who drink excessively, and to intervene with brief counselling at an early stage when prognosis is more favourable. A practical strategy is described for diagnosis and intervention that could be readily implemented in clinical practice.

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Selected References

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