3 hours CE
Published by: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
This clinician's guide was updated in 2005 by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). It was written for primary care and mental health clinicians with input from physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and clinical researchers.
Patients with mental health disorders are more likely to have problems with substance use and abuse, especially with alcohol use disorders. It is important for practitioners to screen for problems patients may have with alcohol use. At-risk drinking and alcohol problems are common. About 30% of U.S. adults drink at levels that elevate their risk for physical, mental health, and social problems. Clinical trials have shown that screening and assessment for alcohol use problems, and brief interventions when necessary, can promote significant, lasting reduction in drinking levels and can lead to significant improvement.
In this updated Guide, the screening method consists of a single question about heavy drinking days. In addition, for those wishing to incorporate a self-report instrument into their practices, the AUDIT is provided in the course. Besides sections on assessment, the course contains brief interventions to use with patients. A lesson on medications for patients with alcohol use disorder is included. Forms are also included for use in screening and assessment, intervention, and follow-up progress notes. This is a very practical course that will provide useful tools for practitioners
Syllabus
Introduction
Changes in the 2005 Clinician's Guide
How to Screen and Conduct a Brief Intervention
Step 1 Ask About Alcohol Use
Step 2 Assess for Alcohol Use Disorders
Steps 3 and 4 How to Conduct a Brief Intervention (For At-Risk Drinking)
Steps 3 and 4 How to Conduct a Brief Intervention (For Alcohol Use Disorders)
Screening Instrument: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
English Version of AUDIT
Spanish Version of AUDIT
Screening Support Materials: What is a standard drink?
Assessment Support Materials: Alcohol Abuse
Assessment Support Materials: Alcohol Dependence
Brief Intervention Support Materials: Approach to Brief Intervention
Brief Intervention Support Materials: US Adult Drinking Patterns
Brief Intervention Support Materials: Prescribing Medication for Alcohol Dependence
Brief Intervention Support Materials: Medications for Treating Alcohol
Dependence
Brief Intervention Support Materials: Referral Sources
Brief Interventioon Support Materials: Alcohol Screening Form Baseline
Brief Intervention Support Materials: Alcohol Follow-Up Progress Note
Frequently Asked Questions
Materials from NIAAA
Notes
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- discuss why it is important for practitioners to screen patients for alcohol use problems
- explain steps that practitioners can take to assess for drinking problems in their patients
- describe how to conduct an interview to ask about alcohol use and alcohol use disorders
- explain how to administer and score The Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT)
- list steps that can be taken to provide support and intervention for patients with alcohol use and abuse problems
- explain to patients who use alcohol what a "standard drink" is
- list medications that can be use to treat patients with alcohol problems
- describe the mechanisms of action of such medications
- determine appropriate community resources for patients with alcohol problems
Material from this course, Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician's Guide 2005 Edition, was reprinted from a publication of the:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
email: Web Sponsor (niaaaweb-r@exchange.nih.gov)
