ABC of alcohol

1 Alcohol use: consumption and costs; 2 Alcohol use: society and politics; 3 Alcohol in the body; 4 Definitions; 5 Nature of alcohol use; 6 Detecting misuse; 7 Problems in accident and emergency departments; 8 Medical problems; 9 Surgical problems; 10 Drug-alcohol interactions; 11 Management of alcohol misuse in primary care; 12 Advice and counselling; 13 Treatments; 14 Resources.

Although doctors are mainly concerned with the physical or psychological problems of individual drinkers, the wider social consequences of alcohol misuse are just as important. Fully revised and updated, this fourth edition of the ABC of alcohol contains new sections on the impact of alcohol on Accident and Emergency departments and surgical practice as well as the potential dangers of the interaction of alcohol and legal and illegal drugs. This practical, well illustrated guide is an ideal reference for general practitioners and all health and social professionals who deal with people who have alcohol problems.