How should a medical student address a peer's suspected alcohol use disorder?

From the Guidelines

A medical student should address a peer's suspected alcohol use disorder by reporting it to the medical student's ethics committee or a similar authority, as this approach prioritizes patient safety while also providing support for the colleague struggling with potential alcohol misuse. When dealing with a peer's suspected alcohol use disorder, it is crucial to consider the impact on patient care and the well-being of the colleague. The USPSTF recommendation statement 1 emphasizes the importance of addressing alcohol misuse, given its significant prevalence and consequences, including more than 85,000 deaths per year in the United States.

Key Considerations

• The USPSTF found adequate evidence that numerous screening instruments can detect alcohol misuse in adults with acceptable sensitivity and specificity 1.
• Brief behavioral counseling interventions are effective in reducing heavy drinking episodes in adults engaging in risky or hazardous alcohol use 1.
• Reporting the issue to the ethics committee allows for an objective evaluation, appropriate intervention, and support for the student while maintaining professional standards.

Approach to Addressing the Issue

• The medical student should prioritize confidentiality and support for their colleague.
• The ethics committee or similar authority can mandate interventions if necessary and ensure the student receives help.
• This approach balances the duty to protect patients from potential harm with the need to help a colleague who may be struggling with substance use. Given the potential consequences of alcohol misuse and the importance of addressing it, reporting the suspected alcohol use disorder to the appropriate authority is the most responsible and supportive action a medical student can take.

From the Research

Addressing a Peer's Suspected Alcohol Use Disorder

When addressing a peer's suspected alcohol use disorder, it is essential to consider the complexities of the issue.

• A medical student should approach the situation with sensitivity and awareness of the potential underlying factors contributing to the disorder, such as stress, trauma, and negative affect 2.
• The student should also be aware of the high prevalence of alcohol use disorders and their association with high mortality and burden of disease 3.
• It is crucial to recognize that alcohol use disorders are often undertreated due to stigma and insufficient systematic screening in primary health care 3.

Importance of Supportive Environment

• A supportive environment can play a significant role in addressing alcohol use disorders, and medical students can contribute to creating such an environment 3.
• The student can encourage their peer to seek help from a healthcare professional and offer to accompany them to appointments or support groups.
• Additionally, the student can help reduce stigma by promoting awareness and understanding of alcohol use disorders among their peers.

Prevention and Intervention Strategies

• Medical students can also learn about prevention and intervention strategies, such as universal school-based prevention programs, which have shown effectiveness in reducing alcohol misuse in young people 4.
• These programs often focus on developing life skills, promoting healthy behaviors, and providing support for individuals at risk of alcohol misuse.
• By being aware of these strategies, medical students can provide informed support and guidance to their peers who may be struggling with alcohol use disorders.

Peer Understandings and Behaviors

• It is also important to consider the role of peer understandings and behaviors in shaping an individual's drinking habits, as seen in the context of college student spring break behavior 5.
• Medical students can encourage their peers to develop understandings that promote safe and responsible drinking behaviors, such as drinking without getting drunk or using condoms.
• By promoting healthy peer understandings and behaviors, medical students can contribute to a supportive environment that encourages responsible drinking habits and reduces the risk of alcohol-related harms.