How to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Drinking or Drug Use

For a lot of people, the hardest part of getting help is the first sentence. Saying “I think I’m drinking too much” or “I’m worried about my pill use” out loud, to anyone, can feel enormous.

Your regular doctor is often a good person to say it to first. They already know your health history, the conversation is private, and they can help you figure out what kind of support you need.

Why your doctor is a good place to start

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism calls talking to a primary care provider an important first step. According to NIAAA, a primary care provider can:

• Evaluate your drinking pattern and your overall health.
• Help you put together a treatment plan.
• Decide whether medication might help.
• Refer you to specialists or treatment programs.

The same is true if your concern is drugs or prescription medications. Your doctor can check for health effects, review the medicines you take, and point you to the right level of care.

Before the appointment

A little preparation makes the conversation easier and more useful:

• Book time for it.When you schedule, say you want to talk about a health concern so the visit is not rushed.
• Write down the facts.Roughly how much and how often you drink or use, how long it has been going on, and whether you have tried to cut back.
• Note what you have noticed.Sleep problems, mood changes, shakiness in the morning, blackouts, trouble at work or home.
• List every medication and supplement, including anything taken without a prescription.
• Bring someone if it helps.A trusted friend or family member can help you remember what was said.

How to start the conversation

You do not need the perfect words. Any of these will do:

• “I’m worried about how much I’ve been drinking, and I’d like your advice.”
• “I’ve been taking more of my pain medication than prescribed, and I want to stop safely.”
• “I’ve tried to cut back on my own and it hasn’t worked.”

Be as honest as you can about amounts and frequency. Doctors hear about drinking and drug use every day, and accurate numbers lead to safer, better advice.

Questions worth asking

Some questions to bring with you:

• Is my drinking or drug use affecting my health right now?
• Is it safe for me to stop on my own, or do I need medical help to withdraw?
• Would medication help me?
• What kind of treatment would you recommend, and where?
• Are any of my current medications risky to combine with alcohol or other drugs?

Ask about medication

Many people do not know that medications can help with alcohol use disorder. NIAAA lists three that are approved in the United States:

• Naltrexone, a pill or an injection that helps reduce the urge to drink.
• Acamprosate, a pill that eases some of the discomfort of not drinking, making abstinence easier to maintain.
• Disulfiram, a pill that causes unpleasant symptoms if you drink.

NIAAA notes that all of these medications are nonaddictive, and that they can be used alone or alongside counseling. Medications are also available for opioid use disorder. Your doctor can tell you whether any of them fit your situation.

Common Questions