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Early Intervention for Problem Drinking in New Zealand Hospitals
Author(s) -
Elvy G.A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
australian drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0819-5331
DOI - 10.1080/09595238780000821
Subject(s) - referral , intervention (counseling) , medicine , family medicine , medical emergency , psychiatry
Early intervention programs for problem drinkers in New Zealand hospitals are discussed. Preliminary studies indicated a high rate of unrecognised and untreated alcohol problems in general hospitals. A screening instrument, the CAST, was devised and is now routinely used throughout New Zealand general hospitals. A survey of 263 non‐paediatric patients screened as problem drinkers showed that referral to counselling can be beneficial for less serious problem drinkers and that follow‐up itself can be helpful.