Citation

Vargas S, Medina Ch AM, Gómez-Restrepo C, Cárdenas P, Torrey WC, Williams MJ, Bartels SM, Cubillos L, Castro SM, Suárez-Obando F, Uribe-Restrepo JM, Marschr LA. Rev. Colomb. Psiquiatr. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Sociedad Colombiana De Psiquiatria)

DOI

10.1016/j.rcp.2020.11.016

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Harmful alcohol use is a public health problem worldwide, contributing to an estimated 5.1% of the global burden of illness. Screening and addressing at-risk drinking in primary care settings is an empirically supported health care intervention strategy to help reduce the burden of alcohol-use problems. In preparation for introducing screening and treatment for at-risk drinking in primary care clinics in Colombia, we conducted interviews with clinicians, clinic administrators, patients, and participants in Alcoholics Anonymous. Interviews were conducted within the framework of the Detección y Atención Integral de Depresión y Abuso de Alcohol en Atención Primaria (DIADA [Detection and Integrated Care for Depression and Alcohol Use in Primary Care] www.project-diada.org) research project, and its qualitative phase that consisted of the collection of data from 15 focus groups, 6 interviews and field observations in 5 regional settings. All participants provided informed consent to participate in this research.

FINDINGS revealed the association of harmful alcohol use with a culture of consumption, within which it is learned and socially accepted practice. Recognition of harmful alcohol consumption includes a social context that influences its screening, diagnosis and prevention. The discussion highlights how, despite the existence of institutional strategies in healthcare settings and the awareness of the importance of at-risk drinking among health personnel, the recognition of the harmful use of alcohol as a pathology should be embedded in an understanding of historical, social and cultural dimensions that may affect different identification and care scenarios.

Language: es

Keywords

Colombia; Primary care; Mental health; Salud mental; Alcohol use disorder; Atención primaria; Trastornos relacionados con alcohol