Screening for alcohol addiction should begin at age 12, new B.C. guideline says

A new guideline from the B.C. Centre on Substance Use says doctors should begin alcohol addiction screening in patients as young as 12.

"Alcohol addiction is the most common substance-use disorder and can be devastating in terms of both health impacts and the costs to our health system, as well as the harms caused to individuals, families and our communities," said Cheyenne Johnson, co-interim executive director, BCCSU.

"Traditionally, evidence-based treatment and recovery have not been well integrated and implemented into routine clinical care. We're hopeful these new guidelines will support the development of a substance-use continuum of care that identifies signs of alcohol addiction early and provides evidence-based treatment and referral to recovery services."

Guest:  Dr Keith Ahamad

Addictions medicine specialist and clinician researcher at the BC Centre on Substance Use.

He was also the co-chair of the guidelines writing committee.

A new guideline from the B.C. Centre on Substance Use says doctors should begin alcohol addiction screening in patients as young as 12.

"Alcohol addiction is the most common substance-use disorder and can be devastating in terms of both health impacts and the costs to our health system, as well as the harms caused to individuals, families and our communities," said Cheyenne Johnson, co-interim executive director, BCCSU.

"Traditionally, evidence-based treatment and recovery have not been well integrated and implemented into routine clinical care. We're hopeful these new guidelines will support the development of a substance-use continuum of care that identifies signs of alcohol addiction early and provides evidence-based treatment and referral to recovery services."

Guest:  Dr Keith Ahamad

Addictions medicine specialist and clinician researcher at the BC Centre on Substance Use.

He was also the co-chair of the guidelines writing committee.