What criteria should I use to determine when to refer a patient with alcohol use disorder to specialist addiction services?

Consider referring a patient with alcohol use disorder to specialist addiction services if they show signs of moderate or severe alcohol dependence ¹.

Referral should also be considered if the patient has failed to benefit from structured brief advice and an extended brief intervention and wishes to receive further help ¹.

Additionally, patients exhibiting severe alcohol-related impairment or having a related co-morbid condition, such as liver disease or alcohol-related mental health problems, should be referred ¹.