[Screening and brief intervention on alcohol consumption]

Morbidity associated with alcohol consumption includes digestive, psychiatric, neurological, infectious disease, cancers of various types, cardiovascular disease, intentional injuries, unintentional injuries, social pathology, and family problems. The most recent evidence does not indicate that "moderate" consumption is beneficial to health. The most recent evidence indicates that "moderate" consumption is not beneficial to health. Therefore, the emphasis should be placed on avoiding risky drinking and advising patients that it would be in their best health interest to avoid alcohol or to drink alcohol at low-risk doses. The AUDIT-C is the most appropriate screening instrument. Cognitive-behavioural and motivational strategies form the basis of brief intervention. Positive information about the benefits of moderation and information about the dangers of alcohol intake should be given. In early stages of dependence, pharmacological treatment for detoxification, withdrawal and follow-up is considered. More serious cases require coordination with addiction services. In Spain, BI has proven effective and to reduce alcohol consumption by 100g/week. Community strategies are the appropriate policy framework to achieve the best results from brief intervention. They should aim to reduce the supply and availability for consumption by adopting legislative measures to limit both economic and physical accessibility. Furthermore, measures should be implemented to reduce the demand for alcohol through health education for specific risk groups.