Originally published in 1987, Helping the Problem Drinker addressed the realisation that only a small proportion of problem drinkers ever contacted existing treatment agencies, and that therefore a more comprehensive community-oriented approach should be developed. This included training of primary care health workers and the development of multidisciplinary Community Alcohol Teams. At the time other community-based initiatives such as self-help groups for early problem drinkers and early intervention programmes in general practice and general hospitals, had been implemented. This book draws together what had been learned about these new developments, a number of which had now been evaluated. The book will still be of interest to all planners and professional staff concerned with alcohol problems: both specialists and non-specialists in general medicine, psychiatry, psychology and the social services.
