Background:

Alcohol misuse is a growing problem in the world. In Sweden it is estimated that 1 million Swedes have a hazardous use of alcohol and 330,000 suffer from alcohol addiction. Research shows, that high consumption of alcohol is a contributing factor to the extensive sequelae and suffering for the patient and family. Nurses have an important role in working with the prevention of illness and disease. Nurses meet a lot of patients with hazardous use at work and it is important to identify and help these patients. What experiences have nurses to identify patients' drinking habits?

Aim:

The aim of the study was to illuminate nurses´ experiences to identify the patients´ drinking habits of alcohol.

Method:

A systematic literature study based on eleven articles, including both

qualitative and quantitative studies was performed.

Results:

Most nurses felt that it was an important work to examine patients drinking habits to promote in the health and prevent disease. Nurses' fears came from experienced emotional negative reactions from the patients. Nurses demand more knowledge about alcohol and its difficulties.

Conclusion:

Nurses have a certain ignorance to ask patients about their drinking habits. The result is that they feel uncomfortable with taking up the issue and thus cause a lack of health prevention. Many require information, time and a structured workplace. It also appears that the nurses feel a discomfort in talking about alcohol and a fear of offending the patient or intimidation and violence