CLINICAL STUDY: Physical health problems among patients seeking treatment for alcohol use disorders: a study in six European cities

Abstract

The present study investigates physical health problems among patients with alcohol use disorders at alcohol treatment agencies in six European cities. The sample comprised 315 patients with a primary alcohol use disorder. Data were collected at admission to treatment using a structured research protocol, and ratings were made by a medically qualified physician subsequent to a physical examination of the patient. Physical health problems were extremely common: 79% of the sample had at least one problem, and 59% had two or more problems. Health problems were often serious, and 60% had at least one health problem that required treatment. The most common problems were gastrointestinal and liver disorders, but about a quarter of the sample had cardiovascular or neurological problems. Frequency of drinking, duration of alcohol use disorder, and severity of alcohol dependence were associated with increased physical morbidity. Current smoking status and age were also associated with poorer physical health. Older drinkers had more physical health problems although they were less severely alcohol dependent than their younger counterparts. The high prevalence of physical health problems among problem drinkers provides opportunities of screening for alcohol use disorders not only in specialist alcohol treatment services but also in other health-care settings. It is recommended that alcohol treatment agencies should provide a full routine health screen of patients at admission to treatment with provision or referral to appropriate treatment.

The Use of Protective Behavioral Strategies is Related to Reduced Risk in Heavy Drinking College Students with Poorer Mental and Physical Health

“…Although extensive research has provided support for strong comorbidity between alcohol abuse and adverse physical health outcomes, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and sleep disorders (Glenn, Parsons, & Stevens, 1989; Gossop, Neto, Radovanovic, Batra, Toteva, Musalek, et al, 2007), the few findings pertaining to college students have been conflicting. For example, symptoms of both poorer physical health (i.e., physical discomfort, fatigue, and lethargy) and stronger physical health (i.e., physical activity) have been associated with problematic drinking among college students (Carey, 1993; Vickers, Patten, Bronars, Lane, Stevens, Croghan, et al, 2004; Wright, 1983).…”

A Systematic Review of Physical Activity Correlates in Alcohol Use Disorders

“…This is a significant gap in the rehabilitation literature, given that alcohol use disorders are associated with increased mental and physical morbidity [15,16] which may result in impairments that could interfere with the ability to be physically active.…”

“…The most common problems were gastrointestinal and liver disorders, but about a quarter of the sample had cardiovascular or neurological problems. Frequency of drinking, duration of alcohol use disorder, and severity of alcohol dependence were associated with increased physical morbidity [15].…”

“…Gossop et al [15] demonstrated that 79% of those with a primary alcohol use disorder have at least one physical health problem, while 59% has two or more problems. Health problems were often serious, and 60% had at least one health problem that required treatment.…”

Measuring smoking knowledge, attitudes and services (S-KAS) among clients in addiction treatment

“…Among persons in addiction treatment smoking prevalence ranges from 49–98% (Schroeder, 2009). This is true in the U.S., and in many countries where smoking rates have been reported for addiction treatment samples (Amit et al, 2003; Ellingstad et al, 1999; Gossop et al, 2007; Lawal et al, 1998; Nakamura et al, 2003). As one approach to elevated smoking rates, researchers in a number of countries have explored tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among clinicians (Ceraso et al, 2009; Walsh et al, 2005; Gokirmak et al, 2010).…”