Nurses' guide to the impact of alcohol on health and wellbeing

In this the second part of this series, the authors map the impact of alcohol on human health and social well-being. While historically nurses have thought of these matters as being distinct, they interact regularly and challenge health professionals in accident and emergency departments, the community and the mental health services. This article discusses how nurses can begin to determine when alcohol consumption has become 'too much'--threatening not only personal health but the well-being of others. The article then examines physical problems that follow alcohol abuse (e.g. brain and liver damage) as well as those associated with social dysfunction (e.g. accidents, aggression and violence).