Hospital screenings help connect patients to substance use support
Aspirus Health highlights how routine conversations during hospital stays can lead to care and community resources
6/4/2026
Emily Loertscher, Aspirus Substance Use Intervention Coordinator
Alcohol use rates in the Upper Midwest remain among the highest in the United States, with state-level data across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan showing binge drinking rates at or above the national average. At Aspirus Health, those patterns often surface during routine hospital admissions.
Patients admitted to an Aspirus hospital complete an alcohol screening as part of their care. The questions are brief but help flag when someone may be drinking above recommended limits.
“Everyone fills out the screening,” said Emily Loertscher, a Substance Use Intervention Coordinator at Aspirus Health. “I always start by explaining that, so it doesn’t feel like they’re being singled out.”
In some cases, that screening leads to a follow-up conversation. Loertscher meets with patients to walk through the results, reviewing their responses and explaining how they compare to recommended limits. The discussion often includes how alcohol can affect sleep, energy, heart health, and long-term risks such as cancer and mental health.
The conversation then shifts to what kind of support, if any, a patient may want.
“When it’s something sensitive, I’ve found it’s more helpful to be direct and ask if they’re ready to cut back,” Loertscher said.
Some patients choose to make a change right away, while others are not ready and instead focus on understanding how alcohol may be affecting their health. In either case, the goal is to meet patients where they are and leave the door open for future support.
Care teams help connect patients who are interested in support to options that fit their needs and location. These may include counseling, treatment programs, or community-based services. Because Aspirus serves patients across the Upper Midwest, those connections are tailored to resources available close to home, making it easier for patients to follow through after leaving the hospital.
“Those partnerships are critical,” Loertscher said. “They help make that transition smoother and connect patients to care in their own communities after they leave the hospital.”
If you have questions about your alcohol use or are thinking about making a change, you do not have to figure it out on your own.
Start by talking with your primary care provider or a trusted healthcare professional, who can help connect you to local resources and support options.
If you prefer to explore options on your own, you can search for local programs and support services at aspirus.org/community-commitment
If you need immediate support, call or text the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential assistance.
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