Outcome of trauma patients after brief intervention by a substance abuse consultation service

The Substance Abuse Consultation Service (SACS) at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) conducts assessments and brief interventions for patients at the University Hospital and the Shock Trauma Center of the UMMS. This project examined a 10-week sample of trauma patients (N = 30) seen by the SACS, for whom consultations and recommendations (including participation in formal treatment programs as well as 12-step meetings) were provided. The authors used medical record reviews for background information and telephone interviews for follow-up. Of 22 subjects reached by telephone, 6 reported that they had followed the SACS recommendations completely or partially, and 16 subjects reported they had not. Of the latter group, a majority reported self-imposed abstinence or decreased use. No relationships existed between demographic characteristics or patterns of substance abuse and whether or not subjects acted upon SACS recommendations.