[Prevention and management of alcohol problems. Brief intervention by the family physician--a simple and efficient method].

Brief intervention, early intervention and secondary prevention are terms used in modern treatment of alcoholism that are gaining importance. By "intervention" in this connection is meant a "mediatory intervention". In various national and international projects, such an intervention on the part of the general practitioner has led to a significant reduction in the amounts drunk by patients abusing alcohol, and has thus contributed to the prevention of alcohol dependence. The present paper describes what is meant by the term short intervention, and describes the chances offered by this type of treatment in the area of basic medical care. Special attention is drawn to the technique of motivational interviewing and the FRAMES concept.