Understanding of Risks and Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Intake is Low

Patient understanding of the relationship between moderate alcohol use and health is not well known. To explore patient preferences and understanding regarding this association, researchers surveyed 878 outpatients at a single urban medical center providing primary and tertiary care. Participants completed a self-administered anonymous survey regarding their medical history, usual alcohol consumption, and preferences and opinions regarding moderate drinking (defined as 1 drink every 1–2 days).

• Approximately two-thirds of respondents reported current alcohol consumption. Of these, 50% drank less than weekly, 25% drank 1–2 days per week, 17% drank 3–6 days per week, and 8% drank daily.

• Most current drinkers believed that drinking is safe (62%) and that drinking in moderation is healthy (61%), while most current abstainers disagreed with these statements (64% and 65%, respectively).

• Among current drinkers, prevention of health problems was endorsed by 36% of respondents as a motivation to drink alcohol, compared with enjoyment (87%), relaxation (79%), or socialization (76%). Those who cited prevention of health problems tended to be older and consumed alcohol more frequently, but they consumed less per drinking day and were more likely to have coronary heart disease.

• Regarding the association between moderate drinking and specific health conditions,
  • a minority of participants (1–32%) believed that moderate drinking prevented any health condition, even myocardial infarction (32% among drinkers and 27% among abstainers).
  • slightly more than half of both abstainers and drinkers believed that 1 drink every 1–2 days could cause liver damage and birth defects.
  • abstainers were approximately twice as likely as drinkers to believe that 1 drink every 1–2 days causes myocardial infarction, stroke, gallstones, and diabetes.
  • only about 10% of participants identified breast cancer as a possible risk of moderate drinking.
  • Forty-five percent of abstainers and 30% of drinkers agreed to some extent with the statement that moderate drinking can lead to alcoholism.

Comments:

Understanding of the potential risks and benefits of moderate alcohol intake appears to be low. Thus, clinicians have a particular opportunity to provide education and counseling with regard to alcohol use, misuse, and health.

Julia H. Arnsten, MD, MPH

Reference:

Mukamal KJ, Phillips RS, Mittleman MA. Beliefs, motivations, and opinions about moderate drinking: a cross-sectional survey. Fam Med. 2008;40(3):188–195.