Keywords: alcoholism, Club of Treated Alcoholics, social prescribing, family medicine, community mental health care

Review:

Introduction. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European region has the highest alcohol consumption in the world. Drinking alcoholic beverages is deeply ingrained in Croatia's traditions and customs. According to data on alcohol consumption, not only is Croatia among the top five countries (10.2%) with a prevalence above 10%, alongside France, Bulgaria, Spain, and Portugal (20.7%), but 15-30% of young people aged 15 in Croatia consume alcohol weekly. Additionally, only 8-10% of individuals with alcohol addiction receive treatment. The male-to-female ratio of those affected was 10:1, but today it is 2:1. Aim. To present the Club of Treated Alcoholics (CTA) as part of social prescribing and mental health care in rural areas in the context of community psychiatry practice, such as the one developed in the Netherlands.

Discussion. The "gold standard" for alcohol treatment includes hospital detox, intensive day-hospital psychotherapy, and outpatient monitoring. CTA extends care into the community, involving patients and families long-term through weekly meetings. It provides counseling, rehabilitation, and reintegration while addressing challenges like low awareness, stigma, relapses, and small membership in a tight-knit island setting. This community-based model is well-established in countries like the Netherlands.

Conclusion. Primary care doctors support mental health through social prescribing, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing medication use and hospital visits. CTAs, often led by general practitioners, play a key role in community addiction treatment and rehabilitation.