At-risk drinking among patients in an occupational medicine clinic

This study described the prevalence and characteristics of at-risk drinkers among adults receiving care at an urban occupational medicine clinic. Comparisons were also made between occupational medicine and primary care patients. Among occupational medicine patients, prevalences were: 11% at-risk drinking; 51% light-moderate drinking; 38% abstinence. Abstainers differed from alcohol users with regard to race (fewer Caucasian) and marijuana use (lower rates). Compared to light-moderate drinkers, at-risk drinkers were more likely to be smokers. Compared to a primary care sample, non-at-risk drinkers in occupational medicine reported poorer health, more activity limitations, higher rates of smoking and more stress and depressive symptoms. In contrast, at-risk drinkers in occupational medicine were quite similar to those in primary care. Occupational medicine clinics are viable settings in which to screen for at-risk drinking patterns and to implement primary and secondary prevention strategies.