The literature review revealed few methodologically adequate studies of work-place alcohol interventions. Study designs, types of interventions, measures employed and types of work-places varied considerably, making comparison of results difficult. However, it appears from the evidence that brief interventions, interventions contained within health and life-style checks, psychosocial skills training and peer referral have potential to produce beneficial results.

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General practitioners have the potential to treat patients with alcohol problems effectively. Despite the medical implications of excessive alcohol intake, it appears that general practitioners are not sufficiently aware of the drinking habits of their patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the accuracy of 56 randomly chosen general practitioners in detecting which of their patients had a high alcohol intake. Altogether, 2081 patients were recruited in general practitioners' waiting rooms, where they answered questions about their drinking habits. After the consultations general practitioners were asked to indicate the patients' levels of alcohol intake. The results showed that general practitioners correctly identified only 27.5% of patients who were classified as "high risk" drinkers, using Australian Medical Association criteria. They correctly identified only 45.2% of patients who were classified as "moderate to heavy" drinkers, defined by them as drinkers who consume four or more standard drinks a day. These findings have important implications for clinical practice since they indicate that general practitioners are failing to perform adequately in an important area of preventive medicine. This issue needs to be addressed in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

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The study of 833 employees aimed to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of high-risk and problem drinking in an industrial population. Variables measured included stressful life events, neuroticism, job satisfaction, years of service, job classification and type of shift. As measured by a 7-day retrospective diary, 12.5% of the sample were abstainers, 78.7% were light drinkers and 8.8% were high-risk drinkers. As measured by the Mortimer-Filkins test of problem drinking, 79.2% were non-problem drinkers, 15.2% were presumptive problem drinkers and 5.7% were problem drinkers. Variables that best predicted high-risk drinking were marital status, type of shift and education. Variables that best predicted problem drinking were stressful life events, marital status, education and neuroticism. The results indicate the need for a work-based intervention and provide information to identify at-risk employees and assist in the design of appropriate treatment programmes, including assistance with social and other problems.