The Guideline and Quick Reference Guide are available to download in Acrobat pdf format (info). Quick Reference Guide (252K) Guideline (1.1MB).

• Update to printed guideline
• Key to evidence statements and grades of recommendations

1. Introduction
2. Detection and assessment
3. Brief interventions for hazardous and harmful drinking
4. Detoxification
5. Referral and follow up
6. Advising families
7. Information for discussion with patients and carers
8. Implementation, audit and further research
9. Development of the guideline

• Annex 1: Alcohol content of some beverages
• Annex 2: Clinical presentations where the role of alcohol should be considered
• Annex 3: The Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) for the detection of probable hazardous drinking
• Annex 4: The one minute Paddington Alcohol Test (PAT)
• Annex 5: Important elements of motivational interviewing
• Annex 6: Advice to patients on withdrawing from alcohol at home
• Annex 7: Assisting withdrawal from alcohol
• Annex 8: The NHS Quality Improvement Scotland recommendations on the prevention of relapse in alcohol dependence
• Abbreviations
• References

Internet links

• AL-ANON
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Alcohol Concern
• Alcohol Focus Scotland
• Down Your Drink
• NHS 24
• Health Scotland