PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Rush, B. R. TI - The use of family medical practices by patients with drinking problems DP - 1989 Jan 01 TA - Canadian Medical Association Journal PG - 35--39 VI - 140 IP - 1 4099 - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/140/1/35.short 4100 - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/140/1/35.full SO - CMAJ1989 Jan 01; 140 AB - The annual rate of consultation with family physicians was compared between 108 problem drinkers and a matched group of control subjects; the first group contacted physicians about twice as often as the second one, especially because of psychosocial problems and acute injuries. However, this increased rate among the problem drinkers was also due to a higher prevalence of other health-related problems for which they sought care at least once. The results are discussed in terms of the need for more definitive interventions to identify alcohol abusers, to decrease their consumption and to improve their psychosocial and physical status.