Citation

Emmen MJ, Schippers GM, Bleijenberg G, Wollersheim H. Br. Med. J. BMJ 2004; 328(7435): 318.

Affiliation

Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research, PO Box 3907 1001 AS Amsterdam, Netherlands. emmen@aiar.nl

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmj.37956.562130.EE

PMID

14729657

PMCID

PMC338095

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions for problem drinking in a general hospital setting. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane Library, reference lists from identified studies and review articles, and contact with experts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Change in alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Eight studies were retrieved. Most had methodological weaknesses. Only one study, with a relatively intensive intervention and a short follow up period, showed a significantly large reduction in alcohol consumption in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for the effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions in a general hospital setting for problem drinkers is still inconclusive.

Language: en