Alcohol Screening

In olden days Screening for alcohol problems used to consist of whether someone was alcoholic or not. Nowadays we try to be a little more sophisticated and talk of a continuum of risk; low risk, Hazardous, Harmful and Dependent drinking. The Audit (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) Questionnaire is most effective in this regard. It is better to do this questionnaire with someone who is trained to use it and to interpret the results properly. the Audit questionnire is only one aspect of a comprehensive assessment carried out by the Counsellor so that patients can be advised to cut down on their alcohol consumption or cut out. Many patients are unaware that their alcohol consumption is contributing negatively and often significantly to their physical, emotional and mental health. The assessment involves a discussion and exploration of other factors in the patients persoanl life. An assessment will also help family members to work out risk status of their loved ones and help is often provided for spouses and partners in their own right. In certain cases marital therapy or family work involving the children will be recommended to try to heal any unresoved issues arising from the alcohol problem.