A case study: identifying alcohol abuse in multiple sclerosis.

Limited information is available regarding alcohol abuse in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Tools are available to assist clinicians in screening and intervention for alcoholism. Though the literature does not convincingly support that patients with MS are at a significantly increased risk for developing alcohol abuse, it may complicate symptoms or aggravate their underlying neurologic disease. This case study provides an example of an individual with MS whose condition is complicated by alcohol abuse. Further research may validate assessment tools in this population and examine the physiologic, psychologic, and neuro-immune implications of alcohol abuse on patients with MS.