Alcohol Use: Assessment and Intervention for Risky and Dangerous Behaviours

Overview

This module is the second in a two-part series that aims to assist health care professionals identify and assist people who misuse alcohol. The first module discusses the effects of alcohol on individuals and the community and explains the basis for calculating units of alcohol in common alcoholic beverages and what level of alcohol consumption constitutes dangerous or risky drinking behaviour. The first module is the basis for proceeding to this module and is strongly recommended before undertaking this module.

It examines alcohol misuse as a physical, mental and social issue and a risk factor for preventable disease and death. This module forms the basis of the knowledge required to assist health care professionals to provide professional, evidenced based interventions. In particular, it provides an introduction to the effects of alcohol on the body and explains the basis for calculating how many alcohol units are present in common alcoholic beverages.

This module is recommended for anyone working in primary or community health care, or those working in tertiary or secondary facilities where assessment of alcohol use is relevant to care. All of these situations are ideal opportunities for interventions that assist in reducing the risk or preventing risky and dangerous drinking behaviours.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module participants will be able to:

  • Revise the units of alcohol in common alcoholic beverages and what may constitute risky and dangerous levels of drinking.
  • Be able to identify those drinking at dangerous levels.
  • Provide a brief intervention to those assessed as drinking at risky or dangerous levels.

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