Estimating the Prevalence of Alcohol-related Conditions: The Use of Routine Health Data

Abstract

Alcohol-related problems represent such a varied and complex interaction between a multiplicity of medical and social factors that this initial step is in itself a daunting task. A good definition, however, improves communication between workers and allows comparisons over time and between areas. Those with a medical background will consider physical conditions such as liver disease. Others will concentrate on the psychiatric aspects. More will look at the broader social consequences to the drinker, his family and perhaps to society at large. The last group may often decry the use of the ‘medical model’ as irrelevant, nevertheless it is important that workers in different areas learn to speak each others’ languages when they meet to discuss a common interest. It will then quickly become apparent that the medical model is appropriate in some situations and the social model in others. What is most important is that when we communicate with each other we are talking about the same problem.