In their Seminar on alcohol use disorders, Jason Connor and colleagues 1 Connor JP Haber PS Hall W Alcohol use disorders. Lancet. 2015; (published online Sept 4.)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00122-1 Google Scholar summarise the risk of alcohol consumption to health for the drinker and for whole populations. The authors offer useful advice, insofar as the evidence base allows, on how clinicians should respond to and try to change a patient's hazardous and harmful drinking pattern. The evidence base is from a narrow range of the world's cultures. However, for some interventions—eg, mutual support groups—the principles and practice often vary with culture. 2 Room R Mutual help movements for alcohol problems in an international perspective. Addiction. 1998; 6: 131-145 Google Scholar Alcohol use disordersAlcohol use disorders are common in developed countries, where alcohol is cheap, readily available, and heavily promoted. Common, mild disorders often remit in young adulthood, but more severe disorders can become chronic and need long-term medical and psychological management. Doctors are uniquely placed to opportunistically assess and manage alcohol use disorders, but in practice diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. Brief behavioural intervention is effective in primary care for hazardous drinkers and individuals with mild disorders. Full-Text PDF