The role of alcohol abuse in working disability in patients with low back pain

The prevalence of alcohol problems was investigated in 50 patients with chronic low back pain, and compared to an age, sex, civil status, and income matched control group. Alcohol abuse was significantly more frequent among the male low back patients. Within the patient group the use of analgesics and sedatives was not related to the degree of alcohol consumption. Alcohol problems were not found to influence the rehabilitation process negatively, probably because the rehabilitation programme was not directed to the back only. Such problems therefore should not discriminate against inclusion in a rehabilitation programme.