Identifying the woman with alcohol problems. The nurse's role as gatekeeper

Alcoholism among women, although frequently undetected, is on the rise, posing a significant social health problem. Nurses acting as gatekeepers are in an excellent position to identify alcohol problems and refer the individual to the appropriate health care provider. Concern about a lack of knowledge of signs of this problem and ingrained moralistic attitudes often interfere with this process. This article reviews some of the historical antecedents contributing to our present view of alcoholism, explores some of the known differences between male and female alcoholics, defines the tasks and limits of the nurse's role as gatekeeper, and identifies helpful qualities of the nurse.