Reducing the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorders in Women

Nurses and other clinicians help women to examine their lifestyles and consider changes to promote optimum health. When the question is about drinking alcohol, what is appropriate to recommend? While moderate intake may be beneficial for cardiovascular and bone health, drinking more than the recommended amount increases the risk of harmful effects. This column examines guidelines for moderate alcohol consumption for women, reviews the assessment process and demonstrates an example of a brief intervention. A program of screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (termed SBIRT by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) should be part of the standard assessment for every woman. Ongoing assessment of alcohol consumption can help to better target behaviors for early intervention.