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Alcoholism: Identification, Referral and Treatment

Alcoholism: Identification, Referral and Treatment. Eric L. Johnson, M.D. Assistant Professor Department of Family and Community Medicine UNDSMHS Altru Health System. Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. Approximately 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are alcohol related

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Alcoholism: Identification, Referral and Treatment

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  1. Alcoholism: Identification, Referral and Treatment Eric L. Johnson, M.D. Assistant Professor Department of Family and Community Medicine UNDSMHS Altru Health System

  2. Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse • Approximately 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are alcohol related • Alcohol Dependence affects 8-14% of the population (lifetime prevalence) • 40% of alcoholics develop symptoms between ages 15-19 • Other than tobacco, most commonly abused drug in the U.S.

  3. Alcohol Use in the U.S. • Over 2/3 of Americans over age 14 use alcoholic beverages (ND- #1 binge drinking state) • Per capita consumption is the equivalent of 9.7 gallons of whiskey, 89 gallons of beer, or 31 gallons of wine • annual cost of these problems in the U.S. approx. $100 billion National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) NIAAA 2006

  4. Alcohol Consumption, U.S. • ~14 Million persons in the U.S. still meet diagnostic criteria for alcoholism, despite declining overall consumption • Approximately 2 million have liver disease • 14,000 die of cirrhosis annually

  5. Screening for Alcoholism • CAGE: 4 questions (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) • AUDIT • Tests like this can identify up to 90% of alcoholics • Recent EOD study found brief screening to be effective tool Ann Emerg Med. 2007;50:699-710.

  6. NIAAA Clinician’s Guide http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

  7. HELPING PATIENTS WHO DRINK TOO MUCH Introduction (cont’d) Introduction The Guide was written for primary care and mental health clinicians. It is produced by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with guidance from physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and clinical researchers. • How Much Is “Too Much”? • Individual responses to alcohol vary – • Drinking at lower levels may be problematic depending on many factors; for example… • Patient’s age • Co-existing conditions, and • Use of medication • Note: The U.S. Surgeon General urges abstinence from drinking for women who are or may become pregnant. • How Much is “Too Much”? • Drinking becomes too much when it… • Causes or elevates the risk for alcohol- related problems, or • Complicates management of other health problems • There are increased risks for alcohol- • related problems for… • Men who drink more than 4 standard drinks in a day (or more than 14 per week) and • Women who drink more than 3 standard drinks in a day (or more than 7 per week)

  8. HELPING PATIENTS WHO DRINK TOO MUCH Introduction (cont’d) Why Screen for Heavy Drinking? • At-risk drinking and alcohol problems are common • About 3 in 10 adults drink at levels that elevate health risks. • Among heavy drinkers, 1 in 4 has alcohol abuse or dependence. • All heavy drinkers have a greater risk of hypertension, gastrointestinal bleeding, sleep disorders, major depression, hemorrhagic stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and several cancers. Heavy drinking often goes undetected • Patients with alcohol dependence received the recommended quality of care only about 10 percent of the time. • Patients are likely to be more receptive, open, and ready to change than you expect • Most patients don’t object to being screened for alcohol use by clinicians and are open to hearing advice afterward. • Most primary care patients who screen positive for heavy drinking or alcohol use disorders show some motivational readiness to change; and • Those who have the most severe symptoms are often the most ready to change. You are in a prime position to make a difference • Brief interventions can promote significant, lasting reductions in drinking levels in at-risk drinkers who are not alcohol dependent. • Some drinkers who are dependent will accept referral to addiction treatment programs. Even for patients who don’t accept referral, repeated alcohol-focused visits with health providers can lead to significant improvement.

  9. BEFORE YOU BEGIN… • Before You Begin… • Decide on a Screening Method • The Clinician’s Guide provides two methods for screening: • A single question about heavy drinking days* to use during a clinical interview; and • the AUDIT, a written self-report instrument; it takes less than five minutes to complete * The single interview question can be used at any time, either in conjunction with the AUDIT or alone.

  10. BEFORE YOU BEGIN… • Before You Begin… • Set up your practice to simplify the process. • Decide who will conduct the screening or administer the AUDIT • Use preformatted progress notes (see Online Materials, page 27) • Use computer reminders • Keep copies of the Pocket Guide and referral information in exam rooms • Monitor your performance through practice audits • Before You Begin… • Think about clinical indications for screening. Key opportunities include: • As part of a routine examination • Before prescribing a medication that interacts with alcohol • In the emergency department or urgent care center • When seeing patients who… • are pregnant or trying to conceive • are likely to drink heavily (e.g. smokers, adolescents, young adults) • have health problems that might be alcohol induced • have a chronic illness not responding to treatment

  11. Electronic Health Record (EHR) • EHR can have these screening questions/tools “built” in • Enhances ease of use

  12. 5 A’s ASK ADVISE ASSESS ASSIST ARRANGE Developed for tobacco screening/intervention, good for other behavioral interventions

  13. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH • STEP 1: • Ask About Alcohol Use • Prescreen: • Do you sometimes drink beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages? • If NO… the screening is complete. • If YES…

  14. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ? If YES… Ask the screening question about heavy drinking days: How many times in the past year have you had... 5 or more drinks in a day? (for men) 4 or more drinks in a day? (for women) Tip: It may be useful to show patients the Standard Drinks chart on page 24.

  15. WHAT’S A STANDARD DRINK? • What’s a Standard Drink? (page 24) • In the U.S., a standard drink is any drink that contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol (about 0.6 fluid ounces or 1.2 tablespoons). Standard drink Is NOT a 32 oz stadium cup!

  16. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH STEP 1 (continued): Is the Screening Positive? • Positive Screening= • 1 or more heavy drinking days, or… • For patients given the AUDIT, start here: Positive Screening= • AUDIT score of • ≥ 8 for men • ≥ 4 for women

  17. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH If NO then… STEP 1: Is the Screening Positive? • Advise staying within these limits: Maximum Drinking Limits • For healthy men up to age 65— • no more than 4 drinks in a day AND • no more than 14 drinks in a week • For healthy women (and healthy men over age 65)— • no more than 3 drinks in a day AND • no more than 7 drinks in a week

  18. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH If NO then… STEP 1: Is the Screening Positive? In addition… • Recommend lower limits or abstinence as medically indicated for patients who… • take medications that interact with alcohol • have health conditions exacerbated by alcohol • are pregnant (advise abstinence) • Express openness to talking about alcohol use and any concerns it may raise • Rescreen annually

  19. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH If YES then… x STEP 1: Is the Screening Positive? • Your patient is an at-risk drinker. For a more complete picture of the drinking pattern, determine the weekly average: • On average, how many days a • week do you have an alcoholic drink? • On a typical drinking day, how • many drinks do you have? Weekly Average

  20. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH STEP 2: Assess for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) • Determine if there is— • amaladaptive pattern of alcohol use • causing clinically significant impairment or distress

  21. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH STEP 2: Assess for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) cont’d It is important to assess the severity and extent of all alcohol-related symptoms to inform your decisions about management. The Guide presents a list of symptoms adapted from the DSM-IV, Revised. Sample assessment questions are available online at www.niaaa.nih.gov/guide

  22. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH • Determine whether, in the past 12 months, • your patient’s drinking has repeatedly • caused or contributed to… • risk of bodily harm • relationship trouble • role failure • run-ins with the law • If YES to oneormore your patient hasAlcohol Abuse • In eithercase, proceed to assess for Dependence symptoms. STEP 2: Assess for AUDs(cont’d)

  23. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH STEP 2: Assess for AUDs(cont’d) • Determine whether, in the past 12 months, • your patient has… • not been able to stick to drinking limits (repeatedly gone over them) • not been able to cut down or stop (repeated failed attempts) • shown tolerance (needed to drink a lot more to get the same effect) • shown signs of withdrawal (tremors, sweating, nausea, or insomnia when trying to quit or cut down) • kept drinking despite problems (recurrent physical or psychological problems) • spent a lot of time drinking (or anticipating or recovering from drinking) • spent less time on other matters (activities that had been important or pleasurable) • If Yes tothreeormore your patient has • Alcohol Dependence

  24. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH STEP 2: Assess for AUDs(cont’d) Does the patient meet the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence? If NO: patient is still at risk for developing alcohol-related problems. Go to Steps 3&4 for At-Risk Drinking page 6 If YES:Your patient has an alcohol use disorder. Go to Steps 3&4 for Alcohol Use Disorders page 7 Page 6

  25. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH Example 1: A patient with AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist (Brief Intervention) Page 6

  26. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH image credit: Comstock AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • State your conclusion and recommendation clearly “You are drinking more than is medically safe.”

  27. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH image credit: Comstock AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • State your conclusion and recommendation clearly Consider using the chart on page 25 to show increased risk. See page 29 for advice considering recommendations. “I strongly recommend that you cut down (or quit), and I’m willing to help.”

  28. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH image credit: Comstock AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • State your conclusion and recommendation clearly • Gauge readiness to change drinking habits “Are you willing to consider making changes in your drinking?”

  29. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? NO Do not be discouraged. Ambivalence is common. Your advice has likely prompted a change in your patient’s thinking, a positive change in itself. With continued reinforcement, your patient may decide to take action.

  30. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? NO • For now… • Restate your concern about his or her health.

  31. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? NO • Encourage reflection: Ask patients to weigh what they like about drinking versus their reasons for cutting down. What are the major barriers to change?

  32. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? NO • Reaffirm your willingness to help when he or she is ready.

  33. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? YES • Help set a goal to cut down to within maximum limits (see Step 1) or abstain for a period of time.

  34. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? YES • Agree on a plan, including— • what specific steps the patient will take (e.g., not go to a bar after work, measure all drinks at home, alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)

  35. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? YES • Agree on a plan,(cont’d) including— • how drinking will be tracked - diary, etc. • how to manage high-risk situations • who might be willing to help, such as a spouse or non-drinking friends

  36. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist Is the patient ready to commit to change at this time? YES • Provide educational materials—See page 26 for “Strategies for Cutting Down” and on page 27 online materials

  37. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 4: At Followup: Continue Support • REMINDER: At each visit— • document alcohol use, and • review goals • Obtain the drinking quantity and frequency at followup visits Tip: Download Progress Notes from www.niaaa.nih.gov/guide-- seematerials listed on Page 27

  38. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 4: At Followup: Was the patient able to meet and sustain the drinking goal? YES • Reinforce and support continued adherence to recommendations. • Renegotiate drinking goals as indicated. • Encourage patient to return if unable to maintain adherence. • Rescreen at least annually.

  39. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH AT-RISK DRINKING (no abuse or dependence) STEP 4: At Followup: Was the patient able to meet and sustain the drinking goal? NO • Acknowledge change is difficult. • Support any positive changeand address barriers to reaching the goal. • Renegotiate the goal and plan; consider a trial of abstinence. • Consider patient engaging significant others. • Reassess the diagnosisif the patient is unable to either cut down or abstain (Go to Step 2.)

  40. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH REVIEW: Does the patient meet the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence? If NO: patient is still at risk for developing alcohol-related problems. Go to Steps 3&4 for At-Risk Drinking page 6 If YES:Your patient has an alcohol use disorder. Go to Steps 3&4 for Alcohol Use Disorders page 7 Page 6

  41. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH Example 2 -- For patients who meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorders (abuse or dependence) STEP 3: Advise and Assist (Brief Intervention)

  42. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH image credit: Comstock ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS (abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • State your conclusion and recommendation clearly. • Relate to the patient’s concerns and medical findings if present. • “I believe that you have an alcohol use disorder. I strongly recommend that you quit drinking and I’m willing to help.”

  43. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS (abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • Abstaining is the safest course for most patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs).

  44. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS (abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • Consider referring for additional evaluation by an addiction specialist, especially for dependence. (See tips on finding treatment resources, page 23.) • Consider recommending a mutual help group.

  45. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS (abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • For patients who have alcohol dependence, consider… • the need for medically managed withdrawal (detoxification) and treat accordingly(see page 31)

  46. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS (abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • For patients who have alcohol dependence, consider… • prescribing a medication for patients who endorse abstinence as a goal (see page 13)

  47. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS (abuse or dependence) • STEP 3: Advise and Assist • Arrange followup appointments • including medication management support if needed (see page 17)

  48. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS STEP 4: At Followup: Continue Support • REMINDER: At each visit— • document alcohol use, and • review goals • Obtain the drinking quantity and frequency at followup visits Tip: Download progress notes from www.niaaa.nih.gov/guide-- seematerials listed on Page 27

  49. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS STEP 4: At Followup: Was the patient able to meet and sustain the NON-drinking goal? NO • Acknowledge that change is difficult. • Support efforts to cut down or abstain, while making it clear that your recommendation is to abstain. • Relate drinking to problems (medical, psychological, and social) as appropriate.

  50. HOW TO HELP PATIENTS: A CLINICAL APPROACH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS STEP 4: At Followup: Was the patient able to meet and sustain the drinking goal? NO • If the following measures are not already being taken, consider (If not already done) • referring to an addiction specialist or consulting with one • recommending a mutual help group • engaging significant others • prescribing a medication for alcohol dependentpatients who endorse abstinence as a goal

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