[Prevention of alcohol problems in primary health care. Patients receptive to questions concerning alcohol and life style].

In this study drinking habits among primary care patients were investigated as well as their views on discussing life style issues (eating habits, alcohol, smoking and exercise) with their physician. 13% of the men and 5% of the women reported high levels of alcohol consumption. 27% of the men and 11% of the women reported drinking five or more standard drinks more than two times per month. About 70% of the patients had never been questioned about any lifestyle item. A large majority judged lifestyle to be important for their health. 80-90% of all patients thought it important that lifestyle issues were discussed with patients, even if most patients did not perceive a need for this themselves. No differences in this regard were found between high and low consumers of alcohol.