Alcohol-related problems in Australia: is there a role  for general practice?

Holmwood, Chris

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04682.x

Topics

Alcohol is probably one of humanity's oldest drugs, and is the most widely used drug in the Australian community.1 In this issue of the Journal (page 103), the article by Graham and colleagues, on newer pharmacotherapies to help people with alcohol dependence,2 highlights specific interventions that general practitioners can use to help their patients with more severe alcohol-related problems.

Primary Mental Health Care Australian Resource Centre, Department of General Practice, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA.

Correspondence: cholmwood@ozemail.com.au

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 1998 National drug strategy household survey: first results. (Drug Statistics Series) Canberra: AIHW, 1999. (AIHW catalogue no. PHE 15).
2. Graham R, Wodak AD, Whelan G. New pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence. Med J Aust 2002; 177: 103-107. <MJA full text>
3. National survey of mental health and wellbeing. Report 2. Canberra: ABS, 1998. <http://www.health.gov.au:80/hsdd/mentalhe/resources/reports/pdf/mentalhealth.pdf>
4. Durand MA. General practice involvement in the management of alcohol misuse: dynamics and resistances. Drug Alcohol Depend 1994; 35: 181-189.
5. Bien TH, Miller WR, Tonigan JS. Brief interventions for alcohol problems: a review. Addiction 1993; 88: 315-335.
6. Dawe S, Mattick R. Review of diagnostic screening instruments for alcohol and other drug use and other psychiatric disorders. Canberra: AGPS, 1997.
7. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice. Aust Family Physician 2002; 31 S (May): 59-60.
8. NSW Health Department. NSW detoxification clinical practice guidelines. Sydney: The Department, 1999. <http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/dpb/publications/pdf/detoxification_clinicalpractice_guidelines.pdf>
9. Britt H, Miller G, Knox S, Charles J, et al General practice activity in Australia, 2000-2001. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2001. (AIHW cat no.GEP 8).

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