Teachable Moments in Alcohol-Related Diseases: A Practical Framework for Promoting Abstinence in General Internal Medicine
Abstract
Alcohol consumption remains a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality; however, abstinence counseling is not routinely implemented in general internal medicine. This review proposes a Japan-oriented framework for translating the diagnosis of alcohol-related diseases into behavioral change interventions. Central to this framework is the concept of the "teachable moment," in which a new diagnosis increases patient motivation and creates opportunities for timely clinical intervention. We reviewed common alcohol-related conditions, including liver disease, alcohol-related cancers, acute pancreatitis, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, gout, sleep disorders, and pneumonia, and summarized the evidence that abstinence or reduced alcohol consumption can improve outcomes. We also present an integrated approach that combines brief intervention, liver function-guided pharmacotherapy, nutritional rehabilitation, and specialist collaboration. ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphisms, common in East Asians, may aid in risk stratification and treatment selection.
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BibTeX
@article{tadokoro2026teachable,
title = {{Teachable Moments in Alcohol-Related Diseases: A Practical Framework for Promoting Abstinence in General Internal Medicine}},
author = {Tomoko Tadokoro and Asahiro Morishita and Ryosuke Imado and Rie Yano and Mai Nakahara and Kyoko Oura and Koji Fujita and Shima Mimura and Joji Tani and Hideki Kobara},
journal = {Internal Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.2169/internalmedicine.8179-26},
url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/advpub/0/advpub_8179-26/_article},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Teachable Moments in Alcohol-Related Diseases: A Practical Framework for Promoting Abstinence in General Internal Medicine
AU - Tomoko Tadokoro
AU - Asahiro Morishita
AU - Ryosuke Imado
AU - Rie Yano
AU - Mai Nakahara
AU - Kyoko Oura
AU - Koji Fujita
AU - Shima Mimura
AU - Joji Tani
AU - Hideki Kobara
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Internal Medicine
DO - 10.2169/internalmedicine.8179-26
UR - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/advpub/0/advpub_8179-26/_article
AB - Alcohol consumption remains a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality; however, abstinence counseling is not routinely implemented in general internal medicine. This review proposes a Japan-oriented framework for translating the diagnosis of alcohol-related diseases into behavioral change interventions. Central to this framework is the concept of the "teachable moment," in which a new diagnosis increases patient motivation and creates opportunities for timely clinical intervention. We reviewed common alcohol-related conditions, including liver disease, alcohol-related cancers, acute pancreatitis, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, gout, sleep disorders, and pneumonia, and summarized the evidence that abstinence or reduced alcohol consumption can improve outcomes. We also present an integrated approach that combines brief intervention, liver function-guided pharmacotherapy, nutritional rehabilitation, and specialist collaboration. ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphisms, common in East Asians, may aid in risk stratification and treatment selection.
SN - 1349-7235
SN - 0918-2918
ER -