"RAND Health"

Includes bibliographical references.

Alcohol-related problems are a significant public health concern in the United States. Effective treatments exist for the entire spectrum of alcohol related problems; however, fewer than half of those who need treatment actually receive it. This report discusses how a chronic disease management model can be adapted to improve the detection, treatment, and management of patients with alcohol-related problems in primary care settings. The report highlights the relevant literature and discusses issues and strategies for consideration in building, implementing, and evaluating a chronic care model for alcohol problems in primary care settings. Within the context of the chronic care model, the authors also review the characteristics of the most widely used alcohol disorder screening instruments suitable for use in primary care settings. Further work is needed to develop and collect the necessary tools and resources to implement the model and to determine its feasibility and potential impact.

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