title: Testing the initial efficacy of a mailed screening and brief feedback intervention to reduce at-risk drinking in middle-aged and older adults: the comorbidity alcohol risk evaluation study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the initial efficacy of a mailed screening and brief intervention to reduce at-risk drinking in persons aged 50 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of California at Los Angeles Department of Medicine Community Offices and Primary Care Network.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals aged 50 and older who were identified as at-risk drinkers according to the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET) (N = 86).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were assigned randomly to receive personalized mailed feedback outlining their specific risks associated with alcohol use, an educational booklet on alcohol and aging, and the National Institutes of Health Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health booklet (intervention group) or nothing (control group).
  
  
  METHODS
  Alcohol-related assessments at baseline and 3 months; CARET-assessed at-risk drinking, number of risks, and types of risks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 3 months, fewer intervention group participants than controls were at-risk drinkers (66% vs 88%), binge drinking (45% vs 68%), using alcohol with a medical or psychiatric condition (3% vs 17%), or having symptoms of such a condition (29% vs 49%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief mailed intervention may be an effective approach to intervening with at-risk drinkers aged 50 and older.
authors: Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, New York, New York.
authors: Alexis N
authors: AN
authors: Kuerbis
authors: Stanley E
authors: SE
authors: Yuan
authors: Jenna
authors: J
authors: Borok
authors: Peter M
authors: PM
authors: LeFevre
authors: Gloria S
authors: GS
authors: Kim
authors: Daryl
authors: D
authors: Lum
authors: Karina D
authors: KD
authors: Ramirez
authors: Diana H
authors: DH
authors: Liao
authors: Alison A
authors: AA
authors: Moore
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011177:Postal Service; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012309:Risk-Taking
keywords: alcohol; brief intervention; mailed feedback; older adults
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