Recognition of alcoholism among patients with psychiatric problems in a family practice clinic

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders associated with alcoholism is reported to be as high as 65 percent. A retrospective chart study was performed to determine whether physicians in a primary care center were adequately evaluating for alcoholism their patients with psychiatric problems. Thirty-five percent of the patients with psychiatric problems seen over a six-month period were not questioned about alcohol use. Younger patients and those with a nonspecific psychiatric diagnosis were questioned even less frequently. In a review of the charts for signs of alcohol abuse, 23 percent of the psychiatric patients had signs of possible alcoholism, and 6 percent were definite alcoholics. Since the presence of alcoholism may significantly alter the approach to therapy, primary care physicians should fully evaluate all patients for this problem, especially if they present with a psychiatric disorder.