A joint problem drinking clinic: the King's College and Maudsley hospitals initiative

We describe the establishment of a joint alcohol misuse clinic, staffed by both a psychiatrist and a physician, in a London Teaching Hospital providing general as well as specialist medical services. The demographic and medicopsychiatric problems of the first 100 referrals (60% attendance rate) are described. The clinic provides an assessment and re-education role for most patients referred with alcohol misuse problems: the need for specialist alcohol treatment facilities, especially for in-patients, remains essential. In addition, the clinic provides a valuable training and research resource.