adult screening programme
Alcohol misuse
Alcohol misuse is when someone drinks in a way that's harmful, or when they are dependent on alcohol. This can lead to a range of short and long-term problems.
Short term risks include accidents and injuries. Long term alcohol misuse increases the risk of serious health conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, liver disease, pancreatitis and various types of cancer.
Read more about alcohol misuse on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in October 2021.
Screening for alcohol misuse in adults is not recommended. This is because:
- there is no suitable test for population screening
- there is no evidence that screening would be effective in reducing long term harm to people from alcohol misuse
Supporting documents from the 2022 review
Evidence map
This document investigates whether a more detailed review can be conducted based on the available evidence.
Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Supporting documents from the 2017 review
In 2017, the UK NSC did not recommend screening for this condition.
Evidence summary Alcohol Misuse (2017)1
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses alcohol (2017)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2022
Next review estimated to be completed: 2025 to 2026.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Alcohol misuse
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- Addaction
- Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
- Al-Anon
- Alcohol Change UK
- Alcohol Focus Scotland
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- British Association for Study of the Liver
- British Liver Nurses' Forum
- British Society of Gastroenterology
- British Society of Lifestyle Medicine
- Faculty of Public Health
- Institute of Alcohol Studies
- Mental Health Foundation
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- The British Liver Trust
- The British Psychological Society
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.