Assessment of unhealthy alcohol use in primary care

In this chapter, we will discuss the components of an assessment, including how to make a differential diagnosis for unhealthy alcohol use, the features of diagnoses particularly relevant for primary care clinicians, and available tools to help with diagnosis, including assessing the severity of the unhealthy alcohol use and its consequences. We will also discuss the importance of assessing the patient's ‘readiness.’ The final goal of the assessment is to help the clinician ascertain what advice to give or treatment recommendations to make, and to enable him/her to deliver an appropriate and tailored intervention.