Addressing Alcohol Use

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMcp2402121?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed Binge drinking and regular heavy drinking are forms of risky alcohol consumption that can lead to liver or cardiovascular disease, pancreatitis, cancer or alcohol use disorder, according to an AHRQ-supported article in The New England Journal of Medicine. The article discusses an array of recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and AHRQ’s EvidenceNOW: Managing Unhealthy Alcohol Use initiative, including tools and strategies that clinicians can use to identify their patients’ level of alcohol use, assess potential harm and intervene when necessary to improve patients’ health for the short and long term. Screening—Evidence shows that brief patient-completed screening forms (paper or digital as opposed to verbal) are effective indicators of alcohol use. These include the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the Single Alcohol Screening Question tools. Treatment—The article details several effective evidence-based pathways for treating unhealthy alcohol use, including counseling, medications and psychosocial interventions. Implementation—Summarizing their work from EvidenceNOW, the authors stated that clinical teams can, with support, make changes to more effectively implement screening for and treatment of unhealthy alcohol use. Essential tasks include defining the workflow, roles and standards of practice for the care team; committing to using validated screening instruments; having patients complete screening questionnaires before visits; assembling educational materials, decision aids and other support material for patients; prescribing medications; identifying local counseling and treatment programs; automating screening; and creating an accepting, nonjudgmental environment. The article contains practical tips as well as educational resources for primary care teams to help them support their patients in making progress toward living healthier lives.