ALCOHOL AND ABUSE DRUGS IN TRAUMA PATHOLOGY

Alcohol and other substance abuse that alters behavior make up the principal risk factor to suffer serious traumas. Patients who have had an alcohol or other drug consumption related accident have a high risk of recidivism. Currently, no efforts are spared to achieve the physical recovery of these patients. However, on the contrary to other diseases, the efforts aimed at preventing recidivism (secondary prevention) are practically null. A brief psychological intervention made during the bedridden period may modify the behavior and decrease the risk of new accidents. Therefore, establishing secondary prevention programs should be considered a priority objective in sites that receive traumatized patients.