A randomized clinical trial of a brief motivational intervention for alcohol-positive adolescents treated in an emergency department.
We tested whether a brief motivational interview (MI) would reduce alcohol-related consequences and use among adolescents treated in an emergency department (ED) after an alcohol-related event. Patients aged 13 to 17 years (N = 152) with a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by lab test or self-report were recruited in the ED and randomly assigned to receive either MI or standard care (SC). Both conditions resulted in reduced quantity of drinking during the 12-month follow-up, whereas alcohol-related negative consequences were relatively low and stayed low at follow-up. Adolescents who screened positive for problematic alcohol use at baseline reported significantly more improvement on 2 of 3 alcohol use outcomes (average number of drinking days per month and frequency of high-volume drinking) if they received MI compared with SC. We conclude that brief interventions are recommended for adolescents who present to an ED with an alcohol-related event and report preexisting problematic alcohol use.
Spirito
Anthony
A
Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. anthony_spirito@brown.edu
Monti
Peter M
PM
Barnett
Nancy P
NP
Colby
Suzanne M
SM
Sindelar
Holly
H
Rohsenow
Damaris J
DJ
Lewander
William
W
Myers
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires