Alcohol abuse and dependence along with other forms of substance abuse and dependence have formal psychiatric definitions. Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially life-threatening medical condition.
More harm occurs in the community as a result of the acute health and social effects of alcohol intoxication and abuse than from the consequences of long-term alcohol dependence (Table 2.12.1). Upwards of 30% of all emergency department presentations are alcohol-related. The incidence of alcohol-related problems is even higher in the population that presents to emergency departments with deliberate self-poisoning with either self-harm or recreational intent.
References
- Hall W, Zador D. The alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Lancet 1997; 349:1897-1900.
- Kosten TR, O’Connor PG. Management of drug and alcohol withdrawal. New England Journal of Medicine 2003; 348:1786-1795.
- O’Connor PG, Schottenfeld RS. Patients with alcohol problems. New England Journal of Medicine 1998; 338(9):592-601.
- Reed DN, Saxe A, Montanez M et al. Use of a single question to screen trauma patients for alcohol dependence. Journal of Trauma 2005; 59:619-623.
- Tjipto AC, Taylor D McD, Liew H. Alcohol use among young adults presenting to the emergency department. Emergency Medicine Australasia 2006; 18(2):125-130.
- Lieber CS. Medical disorders of alcoholism. New England Journal of Medicine 1995; 333(16): 1058-1065.
- Holmwood C. Alcohol related problems in Australia: Is there a role for General Practice? The Medical Journal of Australia 2002; 177:102-103.
About Mike Cadogan
