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The effect of brief interventions on alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers in a general hospital setting
Author(s) -
Holloway Aisha S.,
Watson Hazel E.,
Arthur Antony J.,
Starr George,
McFadyen Angus K.,
McIntosh Jean
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01968.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , randomized controlled trial , brief intervention , expectancy theory , self efficacy , alcohol consumption , intervention (counseling) , unit of alcohol , retrospective cohort study , physical therapy , alcohol , psychiatry , surgery , psychology , social psychology , biochemistry , chemistry
Aims (i) To evaluate the effect of receiving one of two brief interventions in reducing alcohol consumption among general hospital patients compared with usual care. (ii) To assess whether a brief intervention of self‐efficacy enhancement was superior to a self‐help booklet in reducing alcohol consumption. Design A three‐arm cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting Seven general medical, six general surgical, one dermatology and two otolaryngology wards of a large teaching hospital covering a large urban and rural area. Participants A total of 215 of 789 in‐patients aged 18–75 years, who screened positive for alcohol consumption in excess of national recommended limits according to a 7‐day retrospective drinking diary. Interventions Participants were allocated to receive one of three interventions: (i) face‐to‐face self‐efficacy enhancement; (ii) a self‐help booklet; or (iii) usual care. Measurements The primary outcome measure was change in reported alcohol consumption at 6‐month follow‐up as measured by a 7‐day retrospective drinking diary. Secondary outcomes were change in: number of alcohol drinking days in last week; the maximum units of alcohol consumed on any one day in last week; and Drinking Refusal Self‐efficacy Expectancy Questionnaire score. Findings Compared to the usual care group the self‐efficacy enhancement group (−10.1 units 95% CI −16.1 to −4.1) and the self‐help booklet group (−10.0 units 95% CI −16.0 to −3.9) had greater reductions in self‐reported weekly alcohol consumption. There was no evidence that self‐efficacy enhancement was superior to the self‐help booklet ( P = 0.96). Conclusions Brief interventions delivered in hospital offer simple means of helping heavy drinkers to reduce their alcohol consumption.