alcohol misuse

Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Author/s: 
Ramissoon, R., Shah, V. H.

This article is part of a Festschrift commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Established in 1970, first as part of the National Institute of Mental Health and later as an independent institute of the National Institutes of Health, NIAAA today is the world’s largest funding agency for alcohol research. In addition to its own intramural research program, NIAAA supports the entire spectrum of innovative basic, translational, and clinical research to advance the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related problems. To celebrate the anniversary, NIAAA hosted a 2-day symposium, “Alcohol Across the Lifespan: 50 Years of Evidence-Based Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment Research,” devoted to key topics within the field of alcohol research. This article is based on Dr. Shah’s presentation at the event. NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D., serves as editor of the Festschrift.

Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) Office Champions Project

Family physicians are in the unique position to address risky alcohol use among women of childbearing age that could lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Research shows that alcohol SBI, which includes short counseling sessions, feedback, advice, and goal-setting conducted by healthcare providers, is effective at reducing alcohol misuse among adults, including pregnant women. Based on efficacy and cost-effectiveness, alcohol SBI is in the top 10 preventive health services. Yet, alcohol SBI remains one of the least adopted of these evidence-based services. 

The AAFP encourages members, especially those serving a significant number of women of childbearing age, to apply for the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) Office Champions Project. The project, which will accept up to 25 family medicine practices, aims to increase the use of alcohol SBI within primary care settings, utilizing the office champions model. 

Applications are due August 31, 2019.

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