Houston Cardiovascular Associates Houston Cardiovascular Associates

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Interactive Tool: Is Your Use of Alcohol Harmful?

What does this tool help you learn?

This tool can help you find out if your drinking is harmful or unhealthy.

The results may show that you need to get help from a doctor. As you answer the questions, try to be as honest as you can. Your answers won't be shared with anyone.

This tool alone is not enough to diagnose alcohol use disorder. If you think your drinking might be harmful—no matter how you score on this tool—seek help from a health professional.

Used with permission from: "Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Guidelines for Use in Primary Care," Second Edition. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2001.

What does your score mean?

The more symptoms of harmful drinking you have, the higher your score will be. Your score will appear as one of the following:

  • Low risk: Your drinking habits are probably not harmful as long as you continue to limit your alcohol intake or don't drink at all.
  • Medium risk: You may drink too much from time to time. Your drinking habits may not be safe or healthy for you or others. Try to limit how much you drink, or quit altogether.
  • High risk: Your drinking is likely to cause problems if you don't cut back or quit altogether. Talk to your doctor about how you can limit your drinking or quit. If you have trouble cutting back or quitting, or if you start drinking more, see your doctor or another health professional for help.
  • Likely alcohol use disorder: You most likely need treatment to recover and stay sober. If you don't seek help, your drinking is likely to cause serious problems. See your doctor or another health professional for help.

This tool is not meant to take the place of a thorough checkup by your doctor. If you think you may have a problem, see your doctor.

What's next?

Drinking too much can cause serious health problems. It also can affect your life and the lives of people you care about. If you are concerned about your drinking or you can't control how much you drink, contact your doctor for help right away. Without treatment, harmful alcohol use can get worse over time.

Sometimes the harmful use of alcohol can be overcome without help. But you may need treatment to get better. This is especially true if you are dependent on alcohol and your alcohol use is causing problems in many areas of your life. Treatments include counseling and medicines. Getting treatment may help you stop your harmful use of alcohol and live a healthier, happier life. The choice to go to your doctor for help is the first step on your path to getting better.

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Related Information

Credits

Current as of: November 15, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: November 15, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary