Moderate Alcohol Use: How much? How do you feel? Can we talk about it?
Photo by Ben Wilkins on Unsplash
By Heidi Freeborn, Family Nurse Practitioner, Natural Health Center
Moderate alcohol use is common for many folks in Alaska, more so for some around the holiday and winter season. At the same time, the concept of “Dry January” has become more mainstream in recent years and, with January in the rearview mirror, I offer this timely message in hopes of:
Shedding some light on quantifying use and the value of being honest about alcohol use.
Highlighting some of the physical impacts of regular alcohol use.
Sharing about provider techniques of motivational interviewing in support our patients.
Cheers to that!
Defining “unhealthy drinking”
Let’s look at the literature to define “unhealthy drinking.” I found the definition of unhealthy drinking a bit surprising, because it probably includes more people than we realize: 3 or more drinks for women and 4 or more drinks for men in a single sitting. Drinking this amount habitually can negatively impact health. This general definition doesn’t take into account individuals with other health issues, where more often than not, the healthy number of alcoholic drinks is 0.
Open conversations about alcohol use
Into the clinic setting, the truth about one’s use of alcohol may be getting left out of the conversation. While some patients recognize a clear issue and come to the clinic seeking support to quit, others may have a more subtle relationship with the substance, and the connection between problems and alcohol use might go unrecognized. These folks may be less interested in any sort of change in their behavior.
According to the Transtheoretical Model Stages for Change, this is called the “pre-contemplative stage,” when a patient hasn’t yet begun to consider an issue or formulate strategies for a change. A person in this stage is not likely to bring up their alcohol use with their provider, and the impact of alcohol use may not be discussed or investigated. These patients may present with other symptoms as their chief complaint.
Symptoms of chronic alcohol use
There are numerous physical symptoms related to chronic alcohol use. While people often think of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, tolerance or liver problems, the list is more extensive. Common complaints that have a relationship with chronic alcohol use include:
● Insomnia
● Sexual dysfunction
● Nicotine use disorder
● Gastrointestinal distress
● Muscle cramps
● Altered sensory perception
● High blood pressure
● Elevated heart rate
● Impaired nutritional status
Partnering with my patients
As a provider at Natural Health Center, I seek permission to discuss sensitive issues—and that can take time and development of a trusting relationship. My goal is to partner with my patients wherever they are on the spectrum of change to identify health goals. I discuss these issues with open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and by summarizing a patient’s own ideas—avoiding judgment of the person. I’m positioned here to help, and I recognize that as a privilege.
About Heidi Freeborn, FNP
Heidi Freeborn is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Natural Health Center in Anchorage, where she offers a variety of services, including preventative screenings, wellness exams, and chronic and acute illness/disease management. She welcomes patients from the age of 6 months to 100+ years!
Learn more about Heidi Freeborn and natural family medicine at Natural Health Center, or contact us to schedule your appointment!