Alcohol, drugs and trauma: Consequences, screening and intervention in 2009

Emmanuel Charbonney, Amanda McFarlan, Barbara Haas, Larry Gentilello, Najma Ahmed

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Alcohol use is a preventable cause of injury as it doubles the risk of re-injury and increases mortality. For this reason, the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma had mandated a screening and subsequent intervention strategy for all Level I centres, and there is good evidence to support the efficacy of such programmes. Clinicians can play a key role in reducing injury related to alcohol use through their participation in these programmes. Although validated screening tools and evidence to support brief interventions for alcohol use exist, the benefit of these experiences for other recreational drugs awaits further research in this area. In the meantime, the implementation of alcohol screening and brief intervention programmes across all trauma programmes and emergency departments should become a global healthcare priority.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5-12
Number of pages8
JournalTrauma
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • alcohol
  • binge drinking
  • injury
  • intervention
  • outcomes
  • prevention
  • recreational drugs
  • screening
  • trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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