Alcohol abuse increases the risk of head injuries, makes the treatment more difficult and worsens the prognosis. All patients after head injury should be informed that alcohol abuse is especially dangerous to them. The patients abusing alcohol without dependence should receive brief intervention from their physicians. The alcohol dependent patients should be referred and treated accordingly. Prevention of societal level includes decreasing of overall alcohol consumption and education of general public about the risks of alcohol abuse and head injuries.

        Key words: alcohol, head injury, brief intervention.