for alcohol misuse, study finds
Where there is cigarette smoking there is probably misuse of alcohol too, according to a study by Yale School of Medicine researchers in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
"This means cigarette smoking status can be used as a clinical indicator for alcohol misuse, which presents an opportunity for intervention," says the principal investigator, Sherry McKee, assistant professor of psychiatry.
She says that although brief screening and brief intervention provided in primary care settings are effective, clinicians do not frequently screen for alcohol misuse. This is a matter of concern, she notes, because 26% of the U.S. population is drinking at hazardous levels, which puts them at increased risk for alcohol-related consequences such as injuries from motor vehicle crashes, hypertension, depression and certain cancers.
"Only an estimated 30% of individuals who had a primary care visit reported being screened for an alcohol or drug use problem," McKee says. "Physicians are much more likely to ask patients whether and how often they smoke."
She and her collaborators arrived at their conclusions after analyzing data obtained from 42,374 adults in a national epidemiological survey on alcohol misuse and other related conditions. Following guidelines that physicians use to assess tobacco and alcohol use, they found that non-daily smokers are five times more likely to have a problem with alcohol compared to people who have never smoked. Daily smokers are three times more likely to have an alcohol problem.
"This is the first study to document that individuals who are smokers, but don't smoke every day, have the highest rates of problem drinking," McKee says. "Using smoking status as a 'red flag' for more aggressive assessment of alcohol use is a highly feasible and clinically sensible approach to screening."
The findings, she says, highlight the importance of physicians adopting standard alcohol screening questions into their practice.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines hazardous drinking as exceeding either daily or weekly drinking limits. Men should consume no more than four drinks in a day, and no more than 14 drinks in a week. Women should consume no more than three drinks in a day, and no more than seven drinks in a week. Additional information about NIAAA guidelines concerning problem drinking can be found at http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Practitioner/CliniciansGuide2005/cliniciansguide.htm.
The NIAAA and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported the study.
-- By Jacqueline Weaver
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Center's initiative to promote understanding of Middle East
New policies offer academic relief to Ph.D. students who are new parents
Despite challenges, accessibility improving in Yale buildings
'Growing and Learning Together'
Immunology comes of age at the School of Medicine
The nation needs more 'conversation,' says television anchor
SOM HONORS
State Hispanic organization recognizes the school for . . .
First-year students win an online contest involving the simulation . . .
Yale Rep ends season with East Coast premiere of 'The Unmentionables'
Art exhibit explores the question: 'What Is a Line?'
Smoking status a 'red flag' for alcohol misuse, study finds
Study reveals abnormal patterns of facial recognition . . .
Student-made machines will vie in 'Yale Robot Wars' competition
Display explores historical process of globalization
Panel to discuss the early shapers of globalization
Show sketches the lives of residential college namesakes
Divinity School event to examine issues of 'Faith and Citizenship'
Brain networks strengthened by closing ion channels, study finds
Attention deficits found in teen smokers who were exposed to . . .
A2K2 conference will focus on access to knowledge issues
Films and readings will offer insights into views on aging in India and Japan
Center's inaugural conference will explore ways that social . . .
Event showcases medical students' original research
New system eliminates wait time for bus riders
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home