Management of alcohol use disorder in a patient hospitalized in a digestive surgery unit: a case report

Abstract

Alcohol is the most addictive substance consumed in Catalan society and the one that causes the most health problems. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often associated with other psychiatric disorders. Screening, brief intervention and referral to specialized treatment programmes are designed to address AUD in hospitalized patients whose reason for admission may or may not be related to their consumption. Our hospital has this type of programme, which incorporates the figure of the mental health and addictions nurse. We present the clinical case of a patient hospitalized in a digestive surgery unit for acute pathology related to his consumption. The reason for admission was acute alcoholic pancreatitis, with a history of an anxiety-depressive disorder under treatment. The aim of the mental health and addictions nurse specialist was to develop a care plan for a patient with AUD. Three nursing diagnoses were selected according to the NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) taxonomy: [00069] Ineffective coping, [00063] Dysfunctional family processes: alcoholism, and [00095] Insomnia. The nursing interventions carried out helped the patient to express the desire to give up drinking, to use support groups, and to encourage a change of habits.