Assessing drinking problems by history.

Patients with alcohol problems can be categorized as either medical alcoholics, who have medical problems caused by high levels of alcohol consumption, or behavioral alcoholics, whose drinking results in adverse changes in their behavior. Behavioral alcoholics pose a diagnostic problem to the physician because of their highly developed denial systems. A detailed, accurate drinking history is necessary for diagnostic assessment, and the physician must employ several key strategies in order to circumvent the denial system and elicit relevant information. Additional information can be obtained from a member of the problem drinker's family. Family members should also be involved in the treatment process.