Consumption of alcohol has been an integral part of society since Neolithic times. Harmful alcohol use accounts for 4% of the total global disease burden. The annual estimated cost to the National Health Service (NHS) alone is £2.7 billion. Around 24% of the adult population in UK consumes alcohol to levels that are associated with potential or actual harm to their health and well-being, while 9% of men and 4% of women aged 16–74 years are alcohol dependent. This article seeks to address the identification, assessment and evidence-based management of harmful and dependent drinkers in the adult primary care population.
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