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.
Curry
Susan J
SJ
Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, University of Washington, USA.
Ludman
Evette
E
Grothaus
Louis
L
Gilmore
Tim
T
Donovan
Dennis
D
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology