Study backs screening heroin users for alcohol issues

A new study of people being treated for heroin use found that some of those who also had drink issues cut their alcohol intake when screened for excessive drinking by a GP.

A new study, published in recent weeks in the BMC Family Practice journal, found that alcohol screening among people receiving treatment for the use of opioids seemed feasible, although it said a definitive trial was needed.

The study involved patients at 16 practices with 129 patients and found that alcohol screening rates in the intervention group was double that of the control group. Some 81 patients were also interviewed.