Free Alcohol Screenings Available at Research Institute on Addictions

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As part of National Alcohol Screening Day, the Clinical Research Center at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions will offer Buffalo-area residents the opportunity to look at their drinking style to see if they are social drinkers or have crossed the line into problem-drinking territory.

Free confidential screenings will be available to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 7 in the Research Institute on Addictions, 1021 Main Street, between North and Goodrich streets. The screening process will take 30 minutes or less and involves completing a questionnaire and a consultation with a health professional. Appointments are not required.

It is estimated that almost 29 percent of American adults are "risky drinkers" whose drinking places them at increased risk for alcohol disorders.

In addition, seven percent of adult Americans -- about 18 million persons -- met

diagnostic criteria for alcohol disorders (either alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse) in 2002.

Relatively low levels of alcohol consumption may increase risk for motor vehicle crashes, medication interactions, fetal effects, strokes caused by bleeding, and certain cancers. Alcohol use disorders include alcohol dependence, known as alcoholism, and alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is characterized by clinically significant impairment or distress but does not entail physical dependence. A diagnosis of alcohol dependence is given when a person has three of seven diagnostic criteria (e.g., tolerance, withdrawal, drinking more than intended, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or stop drinking) during the past year.

This public awareness campaign is sponsored by the Screening for Mental Health in collaboration with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

For more information in Buffalo, call 887-2387, or go to http://www.AlcoholScreeningDay.org.

The Research Institute on Addictions has been a leader in the study of addictions since 1970 and a research center of the University at Buffalo since 1999.