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Professional Development: Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Emma Kampschroeder

College of Nursing, University of Arizona

NURS 479: Transition to the Professional Nursing Role

Professor Moya

February 23, 2024

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Professional Development: Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

This paper will discuss continuing education on caring for patients with alcohol-related

problems and application to nursing practice. 8.5 hours of training were completed online

through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism on evidence-based resources

for healthcare professionals to overcome barriers, increase confidence, and avoid stigma when

working with patients with alcoholism. The completed modules focused on risk factors for

alcohol abuse, reducing stigma, medical complications associated with alcohol use, alcohol-

medication interactions, screening and assessing for alcohol use disorder, mental health

concerns, conducting brief interventions, and evidence-based treatment, with the ultimate goal of

promoting changes in practice. After reading each article, quizzes were taken to demonstrate

proficiency. This activity was chosen because of my preceptorship experience in the emergency

department and the prevalence of alcohol-related health issues in this setting.

Experience and Knowledge Gained

The articles provided ample information on health concerns associated with alcohol use.

Beyond liver damage, alcohol impacts all systems of the body. Even just one drink a day

increases the risk for multiple types of cancer, including head and neck cancers and breast

cancer. Alcohol can also have dangerous interactions with other medications, such as an

increased risk of bleeding with anticoagulants or excess sedation with benzodiazepines. The

absorption and metabolism of medications is also impacted by alcohol. Adults over the age of 65

who drink are particularly at risk for complications due to polypharmacy and age-related changes

in metabolism. Emergency department visits related to overconsumption of alcohol are rising,

including motor vehicle accidents, trauma, overdoses, and withdrawal symptoms, which account

for approximately 260,000 ED visits and 850 deaths each year.

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Screening for alcoholism and identifying it in early stages can help to reduce drinking

and decrease long-term health impacts. A quick method that can be used to assess for alcohol

abuse is to ask female patients how many times in the last year they have had 4 or more drinks in

one setting, and 5 drinks for male patients. If patients are positive for heavy drinking days,

further assessment can be done using an alcohol symptom checklist. Brief interventions can be

performed with these patients by asking for permission to talk about their alcohol use, providing

feedback or advice, checking in with how they feel, building their motivation, offering support,

identifying next steps, and following up. These 5-15 minute interventions with patients have

been shown to reduce alcohol use. Patients may feel discouraged from seeking help due to

stigma around in-patient treatment for AUD, but the majority of treatment is conducted in the

outpatient setting. There are many treatment options available, including medications, group

meetings, therapy, and telehealth.

Application to Future Nursing Practice

There are several key takeaways from this training that I will utilize in my future practice.

Quick screenings asking about the number of days of heavy drinking in a year can determine if

further intervention is needed to reduce drinking and prevent health issues, especially with

patients who present with mental health concerns. Patients should be educated on the health risks

associated with alcohol use, especially if they have other risk factors. Providing education on

alcohol use with other medications can also help to prevent negative outcomes. Heavy alcohol

use should be seen as a health problem that can be treated to reduce stigma and encourage

patients to be open and honest. I will utilize the information I learned from these articles to

reduce stigma by avoiding judgmental language and open up conversations with patients who are

heavy drinkers.
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Importance of Continuing Education in Nursing

Continuing education is important in healthcare because learning does not stop after

nursing school. Nursing practice is evidence-based, and it is important to keep up with the best

current practices. Specialized trainings expand on the knowledge base of an entry-level nurse and

help to grow one’s skillset, certifying them to work with specific populations. Because of the

professional development activities that I completed, I feel more confident assessing patients for

alcohol abuse and beginning a conversation with them to provide education. In order to provide

education for patients, nurses must first be knowledgeable about the topic. Professional

development opportunities provide further training on a variety of healthcare subjects that can

help to improve the care provided by nurses. Volunteer experiences offer opportunities to engage

with the community and make a positive contribution. Nurses should participate in continuing

education activities to learn additional skills and information that lead to improved patient

outcomes.

Conclusion

The education provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism on

screening for and addressing alcohol use disorder is a valuable resource for healthcare

professionals. Screenings for alcohol abuse should be conducted with all patients to improve

health outcomes. By identifying heavy drinkers, patients can be educated on the health risks

associated with alcohol consumption. It is also important that healthcare workers take care to

avoid stigmatizing language when working with people with alcohol use disorder. When there is

less stigma and AUD is treated as a health concern with treatment options, patients are more

likely to seek help. Continuing education opportunities are important for nurses to improve their

skills and knowledge related to working with specialized populations in healthcare.

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References

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Core resource on alcohol.

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol