Citation

Sobell LC, Agrawal S, Sobell MB. Subst. Use Misuse 1999; 34(12): 1723-1732.

Affiliation

Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA. sobelll@cps.nova.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10499417

Abstract

This study evaluated the utility of using liver function tests to identify low dependence outpatient "alcohol abusers" (N = 253) and for evaluating changes in their drinking over the course of treatment. Despite drinking at levels considered to pose a health risk (i.e., drinking on 72% of all days in the year prior to treatment and averaging 6.3 drinks per drinking day), nearly two-thirds had normal liver function tests at treatment entry. It is concluded that for problem drinkers the cost of using liver function tests outweighs the benefits.

Language: en