Direct Questions

• "Do you ever drink alcohol?"
• "How much do you drink when you do drink?"
• "Do you ever drink more than four drinks on one occasion?"
• "Do you ever drink and drive?"
• "Do you ever drink when you're lonely or upset?"
• "Does drinking help you feel better (or get to sleep more easily, etc.)? How do you feel the day after you have stopped drinking?"
• "Have you ever wondered whether your drinking interferes with your health or any other aspects of your life in any way?"
• "Where and with whom do you typically drink?" (Drinking at home alone signals at-risk or potentially abusive drinking.)
• "How do you typically feel just before your first drink on a drinking day?"
• "Typically, what is it that you expect when you think about having a drink?" (Note: Positive expectations or consequences of alcohol use in the presence of negative affect and inadequate coping skills have been associated with problem drinking.)