Should physicians be asking about alcohol use? The patient's perspective¹

The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Addiction Research Foundation.

Results are presented exploring the opinions of different drinker groups toward physicians asking about alcohol use. A sample of problem drinkers in treatment was compared with current problem and nonproblem drinkers recruited at a local science center and with a sample of students from a local university. While there was general agreement that it was appropriate for doctors to ask about their alcohol use, some respondents (especially in the treatment sample) said that they would feel uncomfortable if asked about their alcohol use and might underreport the amount they drank. Reasons stated for this reluctance included a dislike of feeling judged and of possibly being told not to drink any alcohol.

Key words:

• alcohol
• patient attitudes
• medical personnel

Notes

The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Addiction Research Foundation.

Addiction Research Foundation, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1, Canada.

Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Departments of Behavioural Science and of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

To whom correspondence should be addressed at Addiction Research Foundation, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1, Canada.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John A. Cunningham

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Linda C. Sobell

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