Motivational Interviewing to Acutely Admitted Psychiatric Patients With Comorbid Substance Use

The purpose for this study is to determine whether 2x45 minutes Motivational Interviewing given during hospital stay to acutely admitted psychiatric patients with substance use problems, can reduce substance use after discharge.

The aims of the study are in a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of 2 x 45 minutes Motivational Interviewing and standard treatment with standard treatment alone.All patients acutely admitted to Østmarka Psychiatric Hospital are evaluated for substance use, and all patients with substance use that give their consent to participate are randomized to Motivational Interviewing and standard treatment or standard treatment alone. Substance use and function will be followed for two years.Admittances to hospital and contacts with primary health care for five years.

Motivational Interviewing, Substance abuse, Acuteley admitted psychiatric patients, Emergency Services, Psychiatric

2 sessions of 45 minutes each with manual guided motivational interviewing delivered individually by a trained therapist.

Treatment as usual is individualized according to the clinical condition of the patients during the stay and in accordance with general national and international medical standards. It includes detoxification, pharmacotherapy, and general psychotherapy. Also, treatment is given for any coexisting non-substance-related disorder, including psychiatric disorders.

Inclusion Criteria: substance use acutely admitted to psychiatric hospital Exclusion Criteria: dementia serious brain damage not speaking Norwegian or English

Bagoien G, Bjorngaard JH, Ostensen C, Reitan SK, Romundstad P, Morken G. The effects of motivational interviewing on patients with comorbid substance use admitted to a psychiatric emergency unit - a randomised controlled trial with two year follow-up. BMC Psychiatry. 2013 Mar 21;13:93. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-13-93.