Nurses can play a critical role in
identifying patients with alcohol
dependence, and also participate in a
comprehensive assessment that
includes psychological state, effects
of alcohol use, motivation for treatment,
social support, and physical
assessment. Nurses also should be
prepared to provide brief intervention
by sharing information and providing
motivational support. They
can be pivotal in identifying and
referring patients to appropriate
treatment programs, counseling, or
social support groups. Nurses’ effective
participation with an interdisciplinary
team of professionals is paramount
in providing effective shared
care and treatment to patients with
alcohol dependence (Keys, 2011).