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To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Brief alcohol interventions – everybody’s business
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2008) 14: 469-476.

Heavy drinking poses a significant risk to public health in the UK.

Opportunistic screening and brief interventions offer a cost-effective method of reducing the harm related to excessive alcohol consumption at both an individual and a public health level. Given the high prevalence of alcohol misuse among patients attending mental health services and its impact on behaviour and health, professionals need to be skilled in identifying and treating these problems in all areas of mental health. There is also a need for effective joint working between mental health and specialist addiction services.

This article describes the principles and evidence base for brief alcohol interventions, and methods of implementation in health settings.

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