All it takes is just 2 questions to identify alcohol dependent people

A new study has claimed that two easy questions could help determine potential or real drinking problem in people.

The research alleged that a general practitioner could inquire these two questions "How often do the person have six or more drinks on one occasion?" and "As a result of a person's drinking or drug use, did anything happened in the last year that they wish didn't happen?" to detect hidden alcohol abuse, the Independent reported.

Scientists from the University of Leicester, led by consultant in psycho-oncology Alex Mitchell found that the "optimal approach appeared to be two questions" followed by a possible four more and if that was completed then it "achieved an overall accuracy of 90.9 per cent and required only 3.3 questions per attendee."

If the two questions were used alone it correctly identified alcohol abuse in 87.2 per cent of cases as well as correctly identifying those who do not suffer with alcohol problems in 79.8 per cent of cases.

Too large a questionnaire could be a long and drawn-out task to administer to each patient.

The study is published in the British Journal of General Practice.