Have You Ever Discussed Your Alcohol Consumption With a Doctor?

Women visit the doctor for a wide range of health concerns. It’s understandable if you haven’t managed to talk about every potential health issue or risk factor with your doctor yet.

But let’ s be honest. When was the last time, if ever, that you actually talked to your doctor about how much alcohol you drink on a daily, weekly and monthly basis?

If you’ve never talked to your doctor about your alcohol consumption, you’re not alone.

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report pointed out that only about one in six adults has ever talked with a health professional about their alcohol consumption.

To be more specific, among adults who currently drink, 17.4 percent have discussed their drinking habits with health professionals, and 25.4 percent of binge drinkers have discussed their alcohol consumption with health professionals.

People ages 18-24 are most likely to discuss their drinking habits with health professionals (27.9 percent). Men were also significantly more likely than women to discuss their alcohol consumption. (2)

So why is this a problem?

According to the CDC, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to many health problems and risky behaviors, including increased risk for breast cancer and heart disease. There can also be violence and suicide risks involved with high alcohol intake.

Many adults don’t even know what excessive drinking is. People who fall into the category of “drinking too much” include any pregnant women who drink, people under the age of 21, people who drink over the recommended weekly limit, and people who binge drink, according to the CDC.

For women, binge drinking is considered four or more drinks imbibed in one sitting. During a week, if a woman drinks eight or more drinks on average she is considered to be drinking too much as well. And remember, one “drink” is only five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor.

The CDC suggests that “alcohol screening and brief counseling can reduce drinking on an occasion by 25 percent in people who drink too much.” This can be accomplished by using a set of questions that addresses how much and how often patients drink.

Doctors can also let patients know about health risk factors of excessive drinking, and refer at-risk patients to treatment programs for alcohol dependence when needed.

Marty Ferrero, the senior clinical director of adult services at Caron Treatment Centers, said in an email that one barrier could be that patients feel uncomfortable discussing how much alcohol they drink with their doctors.

However, it’s important that they do because excessive drinking can lead to such health problems as cirrhosis of the liver, dementia, diabetes and pancreatitis, he said.

Ferrero listed some of the beginning warning signs for people who might be struggling with a substance abuse disorder:

1) “Feeling remorseful of or humiliated by behavior subsequent to drinking.”

2) “Social rejection or loss of friendship as a result of one’s drinking.”

3) “Neglect of other important or enjoyable activities.”

4) “Drinking and driving or drinking in dangerous situations.”

5) “Suffering from blackouts or memory lapses while drinking.”

6) “The use of alcohol to alter one’s mood.”

7) “Inability to limit or control the amount of alcohol once they start drinking.”

8) “The ability to consume a good deal of alcohol without getting intoxicated.”

Dr. Bola Oyeyipo, co-founder of Healthgist, said in an email that the report is not shocking to her, and she believes a form or questionnaire filled out by a patient would be an ideal initial screening tool for alcohol consumption.

She added that the main reason doctors are not doing an alcohol screening is due to time constraints. She believes that most people dealing with substance abuse disorders are already aware they have a problem, so a screening would probably not prevent future problems. It could just help refer some people to treatment programs.

Dr. Nancy Simpkins, a board certified internist, said in an email that she doesn’t believe many patients will be honest about their alcohol consumption on a piece of paper. It’s a doctor’s job to take care of their patient’s whole health, including advising them on social activities like drinking that could impact their health.

“When doing a complete history and physical exam, I specifically ask about drugs and alcohol and unprotected sexual partners in a non judgmental way,” she said. “The key is the trust that a patient places in their doctor. There will be no truth if there is no trust.”

She added that doctors tend to stay away from difficult topics like drinking. It has more to do with being uncomfortable than a lack of time. It also has to do with an inability to gain the patient’s trust.

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC VitalSigns. Alcohol Screening and Counseling. An effective but underused health service. Web. January 15, 2014.
http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-screening-counseling

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Vital Signs: Communication Between Health Professionals and Their Patients About Alcohol Use – 44 States and the District of Columbia, 2011. Web. January 15, 2014.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6301a4.htm?s_cid=mm6301a4_w

Ferrero, Marty. Email interview. January 15, 2014.

Oyeyipo, Bolanle. Email interview. January 15, 2014.

Simpkins, Nancy. Email interview. January 15, 2014.

Reviewed January 16, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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Tags:

• Alcoholism
• Mental Health
• Emotional Health