Alcohol use in an academic medical school environment: A UC San Diego Healer Education Assessment and Referral (HEAR) Report.
Medical students and physicians in training and in practice are at risk for excessive alcohol use and abuse, potentially impacting the affected individuals as well as their family members, trainees, and patients. However, several roadblocks to care, including stigma, often keep them from seeking treatment.



We analyzed data from anonymous questionnaires completed by medical students, house staff, and faculty from 2009 to 2014 as part of a depression awareness and suicide prevention program at a state-supported medical school in the United States. The authors explored associations between self-reported "drinking too much" and depression, suicidal ideation, substance use, intense affective states, and mental health treatment.



Approximately one-fifth of the respondents reported "drinking too much." "Drinking too much" was associated with more severe depression and impairment, past suicide attempts and current suicidal ideation, intense affective states, and other substance use. Those who were "drinking too much" were more likely than others to accept referrals for mental health treatment through the anonymous interactive screening program, suggesting that this program may be effective in skirting the stigma barrier for accessing mental health care for this at-risk population.



The self-reported prevalence of "drinking too much" among medical students, house staff, and faculty is high and associated with negative mental health outcomes. Targeted, anonymous screenings may identify at-risk individuals and provide mental health care referrals to those in need.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
Stephanie
S
Martinez
Ilanit
I
Tal
William
W
Norcross
Isabel Gala
IG
Newton
Nancy
N
Downs
Kathryn
K
Seay
Tara
T
McGuire
Brittany
B
Kirby
Brittany
B
Chidley
Maria
M
Tiamson-Kassab
Daniel
D
Lee
Allison
A
Hadley
Neal
N
Doran
Pam
P
Jong
Kelly
K
Lee
Christine
C
Moutier
Marc
M
Norman
Sidney
S
Zisook
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057545:Social Stigma; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires