Need immediate support?
Please call 8-1-1 for 24/7 general health information and advice. Indigenous people across Canada can also call the toll-free Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310.
Need immediate support?
Please call 8-1-1 for 24/7 general health information and advice. Indigenous people across Canada can also call the toll-free Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310.
Primary care plays a crucial role in identifying, treating and providing support for individuals with high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Based on the Canadian Guideline for the Clinical Management of High-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder (2023), the practical information and strategies found here are best practice recommendations for screening, diagnosis and treatment.
Health care professionals like you can effectively incorporate proven approaches in caring for patients with AUD.
This website is based on the Canadian Guideline for the Clinical Management of High-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder (2023), created by the Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Misuse, a national group of researchers, addiction service providers, people with lived experience of substance use, and policy makers.
The AUD treatment pathway begins with screening and diagnosis, followed by assessment of the patient’s goals and care planning.
For pregnant patients, screening and treatment approaches differ from those for the general population. For resources specific to treating pregnant patients, click here.
To download the DSM-5 criteria, click here.
