Addressing Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care [electronic resource] / edited by Richard Saitz.

Introduction and definitions -- Screening -- Assessment -- Brief counseling interventions -- Longitudinal management of nondependent use -- Utility of laboratory testing -- Pharmacotherapy for dependence -- Making effective referrals to specialty care -- Making effective referrals to Alcoholics Anonymous (and other mutual self-help programs) -- Management of patients in recovery -- Managing pain and other medical conditions -- Medical consequences -- Psychiatric comorbidity -- Other drug use (opiods, cocaine) -- Preventative care -- "Moderate" drinking risks and benefits -- Use of electronic and other self-help materials -- Practice systems and implementation -- Confidentiality -- Other ethical and legal issues (e.g. driving) -- Physicians with unhealthy alcohol use -- Hospital management -- Perioperative management -- Appendix (screening and assessment tools, list of resources).

While there is a wealth of published information on addiction medicine, the psychological aspects of alcohol abuse, and behavioral medicine with regard to addiction, virtually none of the existing resources were written with the primary care provider in mind.  Addressing Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care is a handy reference for primary care clinicians who are confronted by patients with these problems daily, and who wish to successfully address these issues in their practice.  Focusing on the literature and science relevant to practicing providers, this book covers the range of interventions appropriate for this setting.  Topics include assessment, brief counseling interventions, pharmacotherapy, referrals to both specialty care and Alcoholics Anonymous (and other self-help programs), psychiatric comorbidity and other drug use, and other information specific to the needs of the primary care clinician.  The vast majority of people with health risks and consequences related to alcohol use receive little to no attention from healthcare, despite the fact that alcohol is a leading cause of early preventable death.  This book is a guide to identifying and addressing unhealthy alcohol use in hopes of improving the lives of patients.