[Hospital physicians and care of alcoholics (author's transl)].

Hospital physicians should not confine their role to the high cost management of complications resulting from alcoholism. They should also concern themselves with the alcoholic patient himself and take advantage of the opportunity provided by his hospitalization. In each hospital a specific care system for alcoholics should be set up, with facilities for managing eight to fifteen patients. Opening new hospital departments is unnecessary. A relationship should be established with the alcoholic patient. His condition should be recognized and discussed freely. Correct management can only be achieved if sufficient personnel is available: alcoholism specialists, psychologists, secretaries, social workers, etc. Until now the creation of such a staff has usually been refused.