Addiction counselling in the surgical emergency room. Implementation of a brief intervention for alcohol-intoxicated patients

The primary care system, especially emergency rooms, seems to be an ideal location for the implementation of brief interventions for secondary prevention of alcohol use disorders. The present study examines whether a brief intervention can both lead to a reduction in alcohol quantity and consumption frequency as well as to an increased contact with alcohol counselling services. The brief intervention for patients with alcohol consumption consisted of an interview about the alcohol drinking patterns and the delivery of a flyer from the local counselling services. One month later a follow-up interview was conducted. A total of 64 patients participated in the study; 37 patients gave their consent for follow-up. Patients with harmful/dependent alcohol use significantly reduced their alcohol amount (p < 0,001) and consumption frequency (p < 0,02). Patients who linked the injury to the consumed alcohol reduced their drinking frequency significantly more than those who did not (p=0,01). The intervention had no influence on the contact rate with counselling services. Promising evidence was found, which needs confirmation in the form of randomized controlled trials with focus on long-term effects.