Download Reference Sheet

Low-risk drinking limits
Categories of drinking
Drinks
per week
Drinks
per day
14
4
IV Dependent: 5%
Harmful: 8%
III
Men
Women
7
3
II
All age >65
7
3
I
5 oz.
glass of
wine
12 oz.
beer
Risky: 9%
Low risk or
Abstain: 78%
1.5 oz
(shot) of
liquor
Risks of unhealthy drinking
Depression. Anxiety.
Aggressive behavior.
Alcohol dependence.
Insomnia. Memory loss.
Cancer of the
throat and mouth.
Premature aging.
Hypertension. Heart failure.
Anemia. Blood clotting.
Breast cancer.
Frequent colds, reduced
resistance to infection,
increased risk of pneumonia
Vitamin deficiency. Bleeding.
Stomach inflammation.
Diarrhea. Malnutrition.
Liver damage.
Inflammation of
the pancreas.
Men: Erectile dysfunction.
Women: Risk of deformed,
developmentally delayed, or
low birth weight babies.
Impaired sensation
leading to falls.
Failure to fulfill obligations at
work, school, or home. Car
accidents. Legal problems.
Painful nerves.
Numb, tingling toes.
Readiness ruler
Not
at all
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very
Screening, Brief Intervention
Referral to Treatment
Steps of the Brief Intervention
Raise the
subject
• “If it’s okay with you, let’s take a minute to talk about the annual
Provide
feedback
• “As your doctor, I can tell you that drinking (drug use) at this level
can be harmful to your health and possibly contributing to the health
problem you came in with today.”
screening form you’ve filled out today.”
Enhance
motivation
• “On a scale of 0-10, how ready are you to cut back?
Negotiate
plan
• “What steps can you take to cut back your use?
• If >0: “Why that number and not a ____ (lower one)?”
• If 0: “Have you ever done anything while drinking (using drugs) that
you later regretted?”
• “How would your drinking (drug use) have to impact your life in
order for you to start thinking about cutting back?”
Referral:
SAMHSA Treatment Center Locator
AUDIT/DAST score
Zone
AUDIT: 20+ DAST: 6+
IV – Dependent
AUDIT: 16–19 DAST: 3–5
III – Harmful
AUDIT: 8–15 DAST: 1–2
II – Risky
AUDIT: 0–7
DAST: 0
I – Low risk
http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/