IMPACT OF ALCOHOLISM ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH: NURSING APPROACHES TO COMPREHENSIVE PATIENT CARE

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the impact of alcoholism on physical and mental health and to analyze nursing approaches in the comprehensive care of alcoholic patients. For this purpose, a narrative review of the literature was carried out with a descriptive and exploratory method, using a qualitative approach. The search was carried out in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), considering publications between 2009 and 2019. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles were selected for analysis. The results showed that alcoholism causes serious physical complications, such as liver, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, in addition to emotional consequences, such as depression, anxiety and social isolation. It was also evident that nursing plays a fundamental role in the care of these patients, acting in a holistic and interdisciplinary manner, from the identification of signs to the implementation of care and rehabilitation strategies. The conclusion highlights the relevance of nursing's role in promoting comprehensive care, reinforcing the need for public policies aimed at the prevention and treatment of alcoholism. There is also a lack of empirical studies that deepen the care practice of nursing professionals in the face of the complexity of cases of alcohol dependence, which reinforces the importance of new research in the area.