Alcohol is our favourite drug - 90% of the population consume alcohol and for many it is a major
partof their social life. In many individuals however, alcohol causes significant harm.

These guidelines are intended principally for use by health care professionals in primary care settings.They are designed to improve assessment, treatment and access to specialist services
for Salford patients.

Alcohol Epidemiology
• 1 in 25 Adults dependent on Alcohol.
• 6% men/2% women drinking at very risky levels.
• 1 in 20 G.P. attendees have an Alcohol problem.
• 1 in 5 G.P. attendees drinking in hazardous way.
• 1 in 7 acute admissions are misusing Alcohol.
• 65% suicides Alcohol was a major factor.
• 50% child protection cases Alcohol major factor.
• 11% Hypertension cases Alcohol main cause.
• 2nd only to tobacco as cause premature death.

How Were Users & Carers Consulted?
1. Reviewed by Wentworth House Patients Support Committee.
2. Engagement of Salford Mental Health Forum (User Group) in the endorsement
of the guidelines. (See introduction section).

What Evidence And/Or National Guidance Was Used In Developing The Guidelines?
- Alcohol - can the NHS afford it? Royal College of Psychiatrists Feb 2001.
- Alcohol Our Favourite Drug - Royal College of Psychiatrists 1986.
- DoH Statistics on Alcohol England 1978 onwards.
- AUDIT, Babor T F & Grant M (1989) Alcohol Health Research World 13 page 371-4.
- CAGE King M (1986) Psychological Medicine (1986) 16 page 213-17.
- Pharmacotherapy Litten R et al Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research
(1995) 20 page 859 - 876.

What Aspects Will Be Monitored & Measured To Assess Impact In Primary Care?
• prescribing practices e.g. for Chlordiazepoxide.
• retrospective analysis of referrals to specialist services.
• recording of alcohol use information in Primary Care Consultations.

Who Designed These Guidelines?
Dr Chris Daly Consultant Psychtrist Alcohol Nwest (Lead clinical Expert) Core members of Mental Health Guidelines development group (See introduction section).


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