Alcohol Screening in the Emergency Department

Reaffirmed January 2017

Revised April 2011 

Originally approved January 2005

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes alcohol abuse is a significant public health problem. Further, ACEP believes emergency medical professionals are positioned and qualified to mitigate the consequences of alcohol abuse through screening programs, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. ACEP encourages wide availability of resources necessary to address the needs of patients with alcohol-related problems and those at-risk for them.