[The alcoholic patient in general practice. From initial contact to implementing therapy]

General practitioners play an important role in the treatment of alcoholism. It is their task to come in contact with patients to assess the severity of their alcohol-related problems and to encourage them to stop drinking. As a rule, detoxification can be completed in less than two weeks. Slight withdrawal symptoms do not require drug treatment. However, alcoholics with heavy long-term continuous drinking need in-patient withdrawal treatment. After detoxification, out-patient treatment conditions are sufficient for highly motivated patients living under stable social conditions. In German facilities, short-term therapies of 4-6 weeks are adapted to the less disabled, long-term therapies of 2-6 months to physically and mentally more disabled patients. In Germany, in-patient treatment in specialized clinics is paid for under the pension insurance scheme. The results of alcoholism treatment are better than generally expected. Four years after treatment in specialized units, up to 61% of patients are abstinent.