Citation

Gold MS. Psychiatr. Ann. 2005; 35(6): 458-460.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Healio)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Most diagnoses of alcohol dependence are made by law enforcement, life insurance physicals, emergency department or trauma visits, loved ones or family members. Few are made by physicians, who often attempt to make an alcohol abuse diagnosis using methods similar those used to evaluate cigarette use and pack-per-year history. Assessments and questions about attachment to alcohol are better early indicators than how much or how often. Drug testing should be used to confirm a diagnosis, establish drug-free outcomes, and identify common cooccurring tobacco and illicit drug disorders. All cigarette smokers, current prescription misusers, drug abusers, and patients with anxiety or mood symptomology should be screened for alcohol abuse - and vice versa.

Language: en

Keywords

human; alcoholism; depression; suicide attempt; comorbidity; review; substance abuse; alcohol abuse; alcohol consumption; mental disease; detoxification; withdrawal syndrome