Since the patient reports alcohol use during the past 12 months, they may still be at risk for adverse outcomes despite no use in the past 3 months and may meet DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder.
Display Title
Alcohol Risk Level: In Early Remission, But at Risk
Tool Type
Drugs of Abuse
Risk Level
Low
Additional Resources
- Alcohol's Effects on Health – NIAAA
- Alcohol Facts and Statistics – NIAAA
- Alcohol Interventions for Young Adults – NIAAA
- AAFP: Alcohol Use Disorders – AAFP
Suggested Action
The suggested action for a “no recent (i.e. no past 3 months) alcohol use” result is to give positive reinforcement to maintain abstinence. Ask additional questions to determine use frequency and patterns in the previous time periods in order to better determine risk level.
- Since the patient reports alcohol use in the past 12 months, consider exploring the severity of alcohol use through a clinical interview using DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorder criteria as a guide.
- Personalize the prevention message as much as possible.
- For example: support recent abstinence, identify the impact of alcohol use on medical conditions, depression as a risk for relapse to alcohol use, etc.
- Offer a referral for counseling or a support group to maintain abstinence.