IDENTIFYING SUBSTANCE-ABUSE IN PRIMARY-CARE

Family physicians have an opportunity to identify substance abusers ye ars before they have medical complications or present for drug treatme nt. Occult substance abuse can be effectively identified by simple scr eening questions and careful attention to clinical indicators during t he history and physical examination. Early intervention may have drama tic effects on substance-abusing behavior and may prevent the many adv erse medical, psychologic and social effects of substance abuse in the se patients.