A randomized controlled trial of extended brief intervention for alcohol-dependent patients in an acute hospital setting

Abstract

Aims: To determine whether alcohol-dependent patients in a hospital setting benefit from extended brief interventions (EBI) delivered by an Alcohol Specialist Nurse.Methods: Alcohol-dependent patients recruited via screening at the emergency department (ED) (n = 267), whether or not admitted to hospital, were randomized to EBI (up to six counselling sessions offered) or control. At 6 months, 84.2% of patients were assessed by a researcher blinded to the intervention. The primary outcome was a fall in Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire.Results: There was no difference between groups in the primary outcome [odds ratio (OR) 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38, 2.75, P = 0.97]. Secondary outcomes including alcohol consumption and readiness to change did not show a significant difference between groups. However, all secondary outcome measures improved, on average, in both arms.Conclusions: Although EBI can be delivered in an ED or inpatient setting, it was not shown to be an advantage over screening and usual management (which included advice on alternative services), with patients in both groups showing an average improvement.