Featured Article - The Drinker's Check-Up
The Drinker’s Check-Up
Posted January 1, 2010
Seeing your VA medical provider for regular check-ups is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your health and well being. Check-ups allow your provider to look you over from head to toe, and catch any problems before they become serious. My healthevet now offers The Drinker’s Check-Up, an anonymous, self-guided online tool that allows you to develop a better understanding of your drinking, including any risks that it might pose to your health. If you are wondering about your drinking, the Drinker’s Check-Up on My healthevet can help you answer such questions as:
- Is my drinking normal?
- What are the accepted safe drinking guidelines?
- Do I have any symptoms of alcohol dependence?
- Have I experienced any negative consequences?
- What are the financial costs of my drinking?
- Do I have any risk factors for developing a serious problem?
To begin the check-up, you will be asked to answer some questions about you (your age & gender) and some questions about your drinking habits (how much, how often). Using this information, the check-up program will help you to:
- Learn how your drinking compares to other people your age
- Develop a better understanding of any risks your drinking could pose
- Consider whether you might want to change your drinking
- Explore different paths to change
Only you can decide what, if anything you’d like to change. If you decide you would like to make a change, VA stands ready to help.
HOW CAN I GET HELP?
- Speak with your existing VA healthcare provider
- Contact the OEF/OIF Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center
- Contact your local Vet Center
- Call 1-800-827-1000, VA's general information hotline
A list of VA and Vet Center facilities can be found online at www.va.gov and www.vetcenter.va.gov
