[Nutrition hygiene centers and prevention of alcoholization and alcoholism: growth or decline]

Initially conceived for detection and early treatment (secondary prevention) of alcoholization and alcoholism by means of a clinical method Le Go's scale of biological markers of dangerous alcoholization and of an intervention method "The Alimentary Hygiene Centers" have deviated to a purpose assembling in theory prevention and care resulting in a new denomination "Alimentary Hygiene and Alcohology Center". In fact, this double purpose leads to a decrease in secondary prevention. This is unfortunate since the results are better when detection and treatment are done before alcohol dependence or visceral lesion appear. There is here a true problem of public health.