Introduction

Introduction

The Department of Health asked NICE to produce public health guidance on the prevention and early identification of alcohol-use disorders among adults and adolescents.

The guidance is for government, industry and commerce, the NHS and all those whose actions affect the population's attitude to – and use of – alcohol. This includes commissioners, managers and practitioners working in local authorities, education and the wider public, private, voluntary and community sectors. In addition, it may be of interest to members of the public.

This is 1 of 3 pieces of NICE guidance addressing alcohol-related problems among people aged 10 years and older. The others are:

The guidance complements, but does not replace, NICE guidance on school-based interventions on alcohol. It will also complement NICE guidance on: personal, social and health education; prevention of cardiovascular disease; antenatal care; and associated guidance on alcohol-use disorders (management and dependence).

The Programme Development Group (PDG) developed these recommendations on the basis of reviews of the evidence, an economic analysis, expert advice, stakeholder comments and fieldwork.

Members of the PDG are listed in appendix A. The methods used to develop the guidance are summarised in appendix B. Supporting documents used to prepare this document are listed in appendix E.

For more information see full details of the evidence collated, including fieldwork data and activities and stakeholder comments, along with a list of the stakeholders involved and NICE's supporting process and methods manuals.