The use of family medical practices by patients with drinking problems.

The annual rate of consultation with family physicians was compared between 108 problem drinkers and a matched group of control subjects; the first group contacted physicians about twice as often as the second one, especially because of psychosocial problems and acute injuries. However, this increased rate among the problem drinkers was also due to a higher prevalence of other health-related problems for which they sought care at least once. The results are discussed in terms of the need for more definitive interventions to identify alcohol abusers, to decrease their consumption and to improve their psychosocial and physical status.