Apart from your role in identifying individuals with alcohol-related problems in your community and managing their problems, you can play an important role in educating people about the effects of alcohol. Box 14.3 lists some ways in which you can be of help.
Box 14.3 How can you help to reduce alcohol use problems?
As a locally trusted healthworker you can help to reduce alcohol use problems in your community in the following ways:
- By being available and helping people with alcohol use problems to accommodate to changes in their lifestyle.
- Educating people about the immediate and long-term adverse effects of alcohol use.
- Giving information to patients and their families that alcohol dependence is an illness with serious consequences.
- Mothers should be advised against drinking during pregnancy because drinking may harm the fetus.
- People with physical diseases and/or dependency should be recommended to abstain from taking alcohol.