Inquiring about alcohol use in clinical practice

Podcast

Season 6: Episode 6 - April 20 2026

Runtime: 37:53

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SHOW NOTES
Summary

In this episode, host David P. Ball explores how clinicians can more effectively identify and inquire about alcohol use in primary care. He’s joined by Tom Stere, a Tofino district councillor who shares how his lived experience of alcohol use disorder influences his advocacy work, and Dr. Olivia Brooks, a family physician specializing in addictions care in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside who shares helpful tips for both inquiring about and treating alcohol use disorder. This insightful conversation highlights the importance of recognizing when alcohol may be contributing to common clinical concerns, and how compassionate, evidence-informed inquiry can make a meaningful difference in someone’s care.

Learning Objectives

  1. Recognize when alcohol use disorder should be considered as a differential diagnosis for common clinical presentations such as hypertension, anxiety, and insomnia.
  2. Assess how alcohol consumption may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms, disease progression, and overall health and well-being through clear, patient‑centred inquiry.
  3. Initiate screening for alcohol use disorder and apply DSM‑5‑TR diagnostic criteria using a non‑judgmental, trauma‑ and violence‑informed, culturally safe approach.
  4. Deliver brief interventions for high‑risk alcohol use and initiate evidence‑based treatment options for alcohol use disorder within primary care settings.

Lineup

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • [1:20] – Tom Stere, Guest – District of Tofino Councillor, Board member – Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Tofino Harbour Authority, Rainforest Education Society 
  • [18:13] – Dr. Olivia Brooks, Guest – Family physician and addiction medicine specialist, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health, and PHS Community Services Society

Clinical Pearls

Here’s what listeners can take away from this episode:

  1. When symptoms of conditions like hypertension, insomnia, or anxiety aren’t responding to standard treatments, it’s important to consider alcohol use as a contributing factor and educate patients on the connection between alcohol and health.
  2. Work in specific, non-judgemental questions about how much a patient is drinking, rather than vague questions about their alcohol use. This can be a starting point to help patients make connections between their health and alcohol use, if applicable.
  3. Use strategies to screen for and diagnose alcohol use disorder using the DSM‑5‑TR diagnostic criteria, like breaking up the criteria into categories to help memorize them.
  4. Use brief intervention to help build or improve healthy lifestyle habits and psychosocial needs so patients have a repertoire of coping strategies while they navigate the change of reducing their alcohol use.
  5. Educate patients on different pharmacological options for treating alcohol use disorder and provide additional resources (e.g., websites, patient-facing fact sheets) so they have the information to make the best decision for themselves.

Resources

Videos

Supports for care providers

Resources for patients, families, friends and loved ones

Reports, statistics, and guidance