BEFORE YOU BEGIN...

Before You Begin…
Decide on a screening method
The Guide provides two methods for screening: a single question (about heavy drinking days) to use during a clinical interview and a written self-report instrument (the AUDIT—see page 11). The single interview question can be used at any time, either in conjunction with the AUDIT or alone. Some practices may prefer to have patients fill out the AUDIT before they see the clinician. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete and can be copied or incorporated into a health history.
Think about clinical indications for screening
Key opportunities include

As part of a routine examination

Before prescribing a medication that interacts with alcohol (see box on page 29)
In the emergency department or urgent care center
When seeing patients who
are pregnant or trying to conceive
are likely to drink heavily, such as smokers, adolescents, and young adults
have health problems that might be alcohol induced, such as:

cardiac arrhythmia
dyspepsia
liver disease
depression or anxiety
insomnia
trauma
have a chronic illness that isn't responding to treatment as expected, such as:

chronic pain
diabetes
gastrointestinal disorders
depression
heart disease
hypertension
Set up your practice to simplify the process

Decide who will conduct the screening (you, other clinical personnel, the receptionist who hands out the AUDIT)

Use preformatted progress notes (see "Online Materials" on page 27)
Use computer reminders (if using electronic medical records)
Keep copies of the pocket guide (provided) and referral information in your examination rooms
Monitor your performance through practice audits

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