A study of problem drinkers in a general hospital.

Abstract

349 new admissions in the wards of Medicine, General Surgery & Orthopedics in a general hospital were screened with MAST & AUDIT for problem use of alcohol. Problem drinking was present in 14.6% of the inpatients. The severity and the need for additional treatment were measured with Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Majority of the patients had problems in more than one ar?a. Nevertheless, only one fourth of the patients were referred for psychiatric treatment. The findings indicate the need to develop services towards the recognition and referrals of the problem drinkers in general hospitals.