Lv XF, Li RH. Alcohol use-related problems in general hospitals and primary care settings: Screening, intervention, and referral to treatment. World J Psychiatry 2025; 15(11): 108165 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i11.108165]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Rui-Hua Li, MD, Department of Addiction Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, No. 49 East Wenhua Road, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China. liruihua37@163.com
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Psychiatry
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Evidence Review
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Nov 19, 2025 (publication date) through Nov 24, 2025
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World Journal of Psychiatry
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2220-3206
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Lv XF, Li RH. Alcohol use-related problems in general hospitals and primary care settings: Screening, intervention, and referral to treatment. World J Psychiatry 2025; 15(11): 108165 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i11.108165]
World J Psychiatry. Nov 19, 2025; 15(11): 108165 Published online Nov 19, 2025. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i11.108165
Alcohol use-related problems in general hospitals and primary care settings: Screening, intervention, and referral to treatment
Xiao-Fang Lv, Rui-Hua Li
Xiao-Fang Lv, School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, Shandong Province, China
Rui-Hua Li, Department of Addiction Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: Lv XF wrote the paper, prepared the table, and reviewed the final manuscript; Li RH designed the outline of the manuscript, coordinated the writing, wrote the paper, and reviewed the final manuscript.
Supported by Shandong Province Medical and Health Technology Development Plan Project, No. 202203090753.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Rui-Hua Li, MD, Department of Addiction Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, No. 49 East Wenhua Road, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China. liruihua37@163.com
Received: April 13, 2025 Revised: June 26, 2025 Accepted: September 4, 2025 Published online: November 19, 2025 Processing time: 206 Days and 14.1 Hours
Abstract
Alcohol use has contributed to large disease burdens, and alcohol-related problems are prevalent among patients in general hospitals and primary care settings. This review aims to deepen the understanding of screening, intervention, and treatment referral for alcohol-related problems in these settings. We searched the literature published in English from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the World Health Organization website. We found that while a series of screening tools can be used, screening rates were low. The awareness of screening should be strengthened. Brief interventions and pharmacotherapy are the two main methods used in general hospitals and primary care settings, with complementary and alternative medicine considered under the framework of integrative medicine. Individuals with severe alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorders should be referred to specialty treatment for alcohol abuse, but referral is sometimes ignored. A gap exists between general hospitals/primary care facilities and specialized alcohol-related treatment providers. In conclusion, screening, intervention, and referral to treatment comprise a continuum for patients with alcohol-related problems. Opportunities to prevent and manage these problems in general hospitals and primary care settings are abundant, and taking action will promote the addressing of this public health issue.
Core Tip: This mini review provides a full perspective on how alcohol-related problems can be addressed in general hospitals and primary care settings. Because general hospitals and primary care settings have good opportunities to implement these measures. In summary, screening, intervention, and referral to treatment constitute a continuum. These steps manage alcohol-related problems on different severities.
