Outpatient management of alcohol abuse

Patients with alcohol problems come to their primary care physicians at different points along the spectrum of experiences with alcohol; therefore, physicians need to be able to respond with a variety of interventions. In addition, patients present in different stages of change, and physicians need to be aware of where the patient is in that continuum. Evidence shows that less intensive, outpatient treatment may be as beneficial as inpatient treatment for some patients and that primary care physicians can offer some of their patients relatively simple interventions that are effective. Medications such as disulfiram offer little in the treatment of alcoholism but may be of benefit in selected situations. Of greater benefit are more complex psychosocial interventions carried out by a team of health care professionals.