[The alcoholic patient in general practice--problems without solution?].

Caring for an alcoholic is not an easy task for the physician. Firstly, he is confronted with a patient, who is not or only marginally aware of his medical, psychological and social problems. This is not surprising, as alcoholism is--in most cases--much more than a bad habit. It is the (failed) attempt of coping with life. Secondly, our attitude towards alcoholism is very ambivalent, and doctors are often ill at ease concerning this problem.