How to take Alcohol History?
Following are the 10 points which will help in history taking of alcoholic patient.
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? choose answers like never, monthly or less, 2-4 times a month, 2-3 times per week, 4 or more times a week
2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? answer may be 1or 2, 3 or 4, 5 or 6, 7 or 9, 10 or more
3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion? answer may be never, less than monthly, monthly, weekly, daily or almost daily
4. How often during the last year have you find it difficult to get the thought of alcohol out of your mind? answer may be never, less than
monthly, monthly, weekly, daily or almost daily.
5. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking, once you started? never, less than monthly, monthly, weekly, daily or
almost daily.
6. How often during the last year have you unable to remember what happened the night before because you are drinking? answer may be never,
less than monthly, monthly, weekly, daily or almost daily.
8. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking? answer may be never,
less than monthly, monthly, weekly, daily or almost daily.
9. How you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking? no, yes but in last year, yes during the last year.
10. Has a friend or relative or doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down? answer may be
no , yes but not in last year, yes during the last year.
