Brief intervention in a primary care setting for hazardous drinkers.
BACKGROUND
The study was designed to test a brief intervention for reducing alcohol consumption among moderate to heavy (hazardous) drinkers in a busy HMO primary care setting.


METHODS
In a randomized controlled trial, hazardous drinkers (n = 516) were identified by the AUDIT screening questionnaire. Intervention included brief clinician advice (30 seconds), a 15-minute motivational session by counselors, and printed materials.


RESULTS
At six-month follow-up, intervention subjects reported fewer total standard drinks in the past three months (176 versus 216, P = .04, one-tailed) and fewer drinking days per week (2.8 versus 3.3, P = .02) than controls, but similar drinks per drinking day (3.3 versus 3.5; P = .13). At 12 months, intervention subjects again reported fewer drinking days per week (2.7 versus 3.1; P = .04) than controls, but similar numbers of standard drinks (157 versus 179; P = .13) and drinks per drinking day (3.6 versus 3.3; P = .20). Intervention subjects were somewhat more likely than controls to report drinking within daily recommended limits (< or = 3 for men, < or = 2 for women) at both six months (79% versus 71%; P = .06) and 12 months (80% versus 73%; P = .07), but did not differ significantly from controls on other drinking outcomes (percent abstinent, frequency of drinking > or = 6 drinks per drinking occasion, estimated peak blood alcohol concentration), or use of medical care in the year following intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
A one-time, brief motivational intervention using minimal clinician time supplemented by trained counselors resulted in a modest reduction in frequency of alcohol consumption in a busy primary care population. Future research should focus on strengthening and maintaining intervention effects.
Senft
R A
RA
Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon 97227-1098, USA. senftro@chr.mts.kpnw.org
Polen
M R
MR
Freeborn
D K
DK
Hollis
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires