0_https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSKcfTmFEk_reducing alcohol consumption
gpt
Thanks for filling it out. We give this form to everyone once a year regardless of why they come in. It helps us provide better care. Is it okay if I take a look at what you put down?
human
Sure.
gpt
So, let's see. It looks that you put-- You drink alcohol at least four times a week on average-
human
Mm-hmm.
gpt
-and you usually have three to four drinks when you do drink.
human
Usually three drinks and glasses of wine.
gpt
Okay. That's at least 12 drinks a week.
human
Something like that.
gpt
Okay. Just so you know, my role, um, when we talk about alcohol use, is just to share information about risk and to help patients who want help. This is different than telling them what I think they should do. I don't do that.
human
Okay.
gpt
Uh, what else can you tell me about your drinking.
human
Well, I usually drink when I'm at home trying to unwind and I drink while I'm watching a movie. And sometimes, um, I take a bath but I also drink when I take a bath sometimes.
gpt
Okay. So, can I share with you some information on alcohol use?
human
Okay.
gpt
Okay. So, there has been a lot of research on alcohol use and the guidelines we use in this country says that having seven or more drinks per week can raise the risk of health problems for women.
human
Hmm. Seven?
gpt
Seven.
human
Wow. I knew my doctor didn't like me drinking the amount that I did but I didn't know that seven was the limit.
gpt
Yeah, you're surprised to hear that?
human
Yes. What-what kind of health problems?
gpt
Well things like heart disease, cancer, liver problems, uh, stomach pains, insomnia. Unfortunately, uh, people who drink at a risky level are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and alcohol can make depression worse or harder to treat.
human
Hmm. Well, that's not good news.
gpt
Well, how do you think your drinking relates to the depression you've experienced?
human
Well, to be honest, I drink sometimes when I'm feeling down and I find it more interesting and not so blur.
gpt
Okay. And how do you feel after you drink?
human
Well, then I feel blur again.
gpt
So, there are some answers on this form here. Uh, less than monthly you drank more than you intended to.
human
Yes on occasion.
gpt
And sometimes you feel guilty after you drink.
human
Sometimes I just don't like how much I drink. I sometimes finish a bottle in one night.
gpt
So you're not proud of finishing a bottle?
human
No, it's not like I get crazy or anything but I just don't like the amount that I'm drinking.
gpt
Right. By the way, binge drinking is defined for women as having more than, uh, three drinks and there are about five drinks in a bottle. So, you enjoy drinking wine because it helps make things, uh, a little bit more interesting when you're feeling down but at the same time you don't like drinking when you have more than you want it to and then the depression returns after you drink.
human
Mm-hmm. Yes, sometimes I feel worse after drinking.
gpt
Where do you wanna go from here? What do you wanna change about your drinking habits?
human
Well, I don't think that I'm ready to cut down to seven drinks a week. That seems like a lot but I would consider cutting back to two drinks a night. I think that would be my goal.
gpt
If I gave you a scale from 0 to 10, 0 being not ready at all to cut back on drinking and 10 being very ready, what number would you be at?
human
I'd say an eight.
gpt
Okay. Why do you think it's not something less like a six?
human
Well, I'm more ready than a six because I'm ready to cut back on my drinking and I don't wanna make my depression any worse.
gpt
What would help you cut back to two drinks?
human
Maybe having less wine in the house.
gpt
Having less wine in the house will help?
human
Yes.
gpt
What else besides drinking helps you relax and unwind in the evenings?
human
Well, I like to watch movies, read a book, and take a bath but sometimes I drink when I take a bath.
gpt
So, it's not just wine that helps you relax. Um, there's reading a book, watching a movie, and taking a hot bath too.
human
Mm-hmm. Yes.
gpt
Okay. So, it sounds like you have some reasons to cut back on drinking and you have ways to relax besides drinking and it sounds like you're pretty ready to cut back.
human
Yes.
gpt
Great. I'd be interested to see how well you do on your goal in the next few weeks. Would you be willing to come back and talk to me about it?
human
Sure.
gpt
Great. So, let's see how well you're doing with these new meds.
human
Okay.