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At-risk drinking among patients making routine primary care visits
S J Curry1, E Ludman, L Grothaus
1Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. curry.s@ghc.org
Preventive Medicine
|November 10, 2000
Summary
At least 10% of adults in primary care have at-risk drinking patterns, including chronic, binge, and drinking and driving behaviors. These individuals face risks for negative health outcomes, highlighting a key public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Primary Care Medicine
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Addressing at-risk alcohol consumption is a critical healthcare priority due to associated morbidity and mortality.
- Non-alcoholic, at-risk drinking patterns require focused attention in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of at-risk drinkers within a population-based sample of adults attending routine primary care visits.
- To identify demographic and behavioral factors associated with at-risk drinking patterns.
Main Methods:
- A health survey was administered to 3,439 patients across 23 primary care practices prior to their appointments.
- At-risk drinking was defined by chronic drinking (≥2 drinks/day), binge drinking (≥5 drinks/occasion), or drinking and driving (≥3 drinks then driving in the past month).
Main Results:
- 11% of patients exhibited at-risk drinking behaviors, while 63% were light to moderate drinkers and 26% were abstainers.
- Abstainers differed significantly from alcohol users in demographics, health behaviors, and family history.
- At-risk drinkers were more likely male, unmarried, and used other substances compared to light to moderate drinkers.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion (at least 1 in 10) of patients in routine primary care present with at-risk drinking patterns.
- Three distinct patterns define at-risk drinking: chronic, binge, and drinking and driving, each with unique characteristics and associated risks.