Age
All
Organization/Year
USPSTF/2004
Recommended Frequency
Periodically
Comments/Grade
USPSTF recommends screening and behavioral counseling interventions to reduce alcohol misuse by adults, including pregnant women, in primary care settings. See Web link for screening tools: www.niaaa.nih.gov. (B)
USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening and behavioral counseling interventions to prevent or reduce alcohol misuse by adolescents in primary care settings. (I)
Alcohol misuse includes "risky/ hazardous" and "harmful" drinking that places individuals at risk for future problems. "Risky/hazardous" drinking is defined in the United States as > 7 drinks/week or > 3 drinks/occasion for women and > 14 drinks/week or > 4 drinks/occasion for men. "Harmful" drinking is defined as currently experiencing physical, social, or psychological harm from alcohol use but not meeting criteria for dependence.
