AT-RISK DRINKING IN AN HMO PRIMARY-CARE SAMPLE - PREVALENCE AND HEALTH-POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Objectives. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of at- risk drinking using varying alcohol use criteria. Methods. A period pr evalence survey was conducted in 22 primary care practices (n = 19 372 adults). Results. The frequency of at-risk alcohol use varied from 7. 5% (World Health Organization criteria) to 19.7% (National Institute o n Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism criteria). A stepwise logistic model us ing National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism criteria found male gender, current tobacco use, never married status, retirement, an d unemployment to be significant predictors of at-risk alcohol use. Co nclusions. Public health policy needs to move to a primary care paradi gm focusing on identification and treatment of at-risk drinkers.