NICE issues new guidelines on alcohol problems

In the U.K. the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued new guidelines about the treatment of people with alcohol problems. The guidelines call for an initial assessment with a screening tool such as the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) or the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ). Those who are drinking too much for their own good should be helped with cognitive behaviour therapy, behavioural couples therapy or social network and environment-based therapies. Those with more severe problems should be offered a structured assisted-withdrawal programme after which they should be offered the drugs acamprosate or naltrexone and individual psychotherapy.

You can find out more about the new NICE guidelines here.