In the single-question screen for alcohol, how many times in the past year have you had 5 or more drinks in a day for men or 4 or more for women?

In the single-question screen for alcohol, how many times in the past year have you had 5 or more drinks in a day for men or 4 or more for women?

• A. 0 times
• B. 1-2 times
• C. 5 or more times
• D. Never in the past year

Answer: (C)

The single-question screen looks for binge drinking episodes, defined as five or more drinks in a day for men or four or more for women, and asks how often such episodes occurred in the past year. Reporting five or more binge episodes in the past year shows a pattern of repeated high-risk drinking, which carries greater risk for health and social problems and signals the need for further assessment or intervention. If someone reports zero occurrences or never, that indicates no binge exposure. One to two binge episodes suggest some risk but not as pattern-heavy as five or more, while five or more times demonstrates a more concerning, frequent pattern of risky drinking. This is why this option is the best reflection of a significant screening finding.

The single-question screen looks for binge drinking episodes, defined as five or more drinks in a day for men or four or more for women, and asks how often such episodes occurred in the past year. Reporting five or more binge episodes in the past year shows a pattern of repeated high-risk drinking, which carries greater risk for health and social problems and signals the need for further assessment or intervention.

If someone reports zero occurrences or never, that indicates no binge exposure. One to two binge episodes suggest some risk but not as pattern-heavy as five or more, while five or more times demonstrates a more concerning, frequent pattern of risky drinking. This is why this option is the best reflection of a significant screening finding.