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Citation |
Gmel G, Venzin V, Marmet K, Danko G, Labhart F. Int. J. Public Health 2012; 57(6): 935-944. |
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Affiliation |
Research Department, Addiction Switzerland, Avenue de Ruchonnet 14, P.O. Box 870, 1001, Lausanne, Switzerland, ggmel@addictionsuisse.ch. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
23089675 |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVES: To show the effectiveness of a brief group alcohol intervention. Aims of the intervention were to reduce the frequency of heavy drinking occasions, maximum number of drinks on an occasion and overall weekly consumption. METHODS: A cluster quasi-randomized control trial (intervention n = 338; control n = 330) among 16- to 18-year-old secondary school students in the Swiss Canton of Zürich. Groups homogeneous for heavy drinking occasions (5+/4+ drinks for men/women) consisted of those having medium risk (3-4) or high risk (5+) occasions in the past 30 days. Groups of 8-10 individuals received two 45-min sessions based on motivational interviewing techniques. RESULTS: Borderline significant beneficial effects (p < 0.10) on heavy drinking occasions and alcohol volume were found 6 months later for the medium-risk group only, but not for the high-risk group. None of the effects remained significant after Bonferroni corrections. CONCLUSIONS: Group intervention was ineffective for all at-risk users. The heaviest drinkers may need more intensive treatment. Alternative explanations were iatrogenic effects among the heaviest drinkers, assessment reactivity, or reduction of social desirability bias at follow-up through peer feedback. Language: en |