I came across an article about drunk driving in my hometown paper recently (http://www.waynetimes.com/news/why-are-they-still-drinking-and-driving/). It got me thinking that alcoholism is a public health issue that I don't think gets enough attention. Alcoholism is rampant especially in rural areas. As we have learned through various RMED articles, certain street drugs are less available in rural areas and thus, rural people are limited in what they indulge in. With the popularity of Breaking Bad and other mainstream media, crystal meth has been highlighted as a drug of choice in rural areas. However, I think alcohol is a much bigger problem. Alcoholism is a problem in urban areas too, but in rural areas, most bars requiring driving, which is not the case in urban areas. Public transit is scarce in most of rural America, forcing the rural alcoholics and bar enthusiasts to drive to their bars and liquor stores. I think this is a dangerous combination that often ends in driving while intoxicated.
There is another problem with alcoholism, though. How do doctors treat it? Alcohol consumption is a very sensitive subject for many who abuse it, and while a good physician can read between the lines and estimate alcohol consumption, many alcoholic patients underplay their intake. This is not just a problem of trust building between patient and physician, but also an issue of self-denial. Therefore, how are we to deal with alcoholism when some alcoholics don't even believe they have a problem? This is an issue that rural physicians absolutely must face.
As a future rural physician, I believe that the best way to deal with this issue is to be completely honest with patients, as well as nonjudgmental. With this approach, one can hope that patients will respond with trust and honesty, so as to open up conversation about solutions to alcoholism and drunk driving.
http://www.waynetimes.com/news/why-are-they-still-drinking-and-driving/
There is another problem with alcoholism, though. How do doctors treat it? Alcohol consumption is a very sensitive subject for many who abuse it, and while a good physician can read between the lines and estimate alcohol consumption, many alcoholic patients underplay their intake. This is not just a problem of trust building between patient and physician, but also an issue of self-denial. Therefore, how are we to deal with alcoholism when some alcoholics don't even believe they have a problem? This is an issue that rural physicians absolutely must face.
As a future rural physician, I believe that the best way to deal with this issue is to be completely honest with patients, as well as nonjudgmental. With this approach, one can hope that patients will respond with trust and honesty, so as to open up conversation about solutions to alcoholism and drunk driving.
http://www.waynetimes.com/news/why-are-they-still-drinking-and-driving/
I agree that alcohol is a major issue across America. I was a bartender in my hometown and it was astonishing to me the number of people that came into the bar on a nightly basis. Physicians need to really question patients about their alcohol intake and whether they are dependent on it. Not only should we try to figure out who is at risk for health problems related to drinking, but also educate our patients about drinking and driving and the dangers of poisoning your body. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Rachel! It really made me think a lot about the problem of alcohol in rural counties.
ReplyDeleteRachel - Alcoholism and drunk driving definitely are problems throughout the country and you've highlighted some great points about how drunk driving is more easily facilitated in rural areas. The public transit and transportation issues you mention are so true. I wonder what kinds of studies have been done to determine if there is a higher incidence of drunk driving accidents in rural areas versus more urban ones. Also, it would be interesting to see how the resources and supports for alcoholics differs between rural and more urban settings. This was a very thought provoking post!
ReplyDelete