Health
Updated recommendations for alcohol screening
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 19, 2004
Primary care physicians should screen all adults, including pregnant women, for alcohol misuse and refer them for counseling if necessary, according to an updated recommendation issued on April 5 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The recommendation was published in the April 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Women who consume more than seven alcoholic drinks per week, or more than three drinks per occasion, and men who consume more than 14 drinks per week, or more than four drinks per occasion, are considered to be risky or hazardous drinkers, according to the task force.
As many as one-fourth of all patients seen by primary care physicians in some settings might be risky drinkers, said the task force, which reviewed numerous studies in reaching its recommendation.
Effective counseling for risky drinkers should consist of a 15-minute initial session that includes advice, feedback on current drinking patterns, goal setting, assistance and follow-up. Sessions can be delivered by the physician or another member of the health care team.
In a separate finding, the task force concluded that there isn't enough rigorous scientific evidence to recommend for or against screening and counseling teens on their alcohol use.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/19/hlbf0419.htm.
