NICE alcohol use disorders guidance

Citation

(2011), "NICE alcohol use disorders guidance", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 4 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/add.2011.54104aaa.003

NICE alcohol use disorders guidance

Article Type: News From: Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Volume 4, Issue 1

In the May 2010 issue Liz Hughes provided an outline of forthcoming NICE guidance on alcohol use disorders (AUDs). All three pieces of guidance have now been published:

1. 1.

   AUDs. Preventing harmful drinking.

2. 2.

   AUDs. Diagnosis and clinical management of alcohol-related physical complications.

3. 3.

   AUDs. Diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence.

These are important for anyone working in health and social care. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of people in England consume alcohol in a way that is potentially or actually harmful to their health and 4 per cent of people aged 16-65 are alcohol dependent (about 1 million people). Only 6 per cent of these receive treatment.

This paper provides an overview of the guidance and highlights recommendations of particular relevance to the care and treatment of people with a dual diagnosis. Some additional resources are also identified that may help support implementation of the guidance. To obtain a more detailed understanding of the NICE recommendations readers are advised to go to the NICE web site and read the guidance themselves.

All the guidance relates to people aged ten and over.