Mentored Research on Improving Alcohol Brief Interventions in Medical Settings
Alcohol Abuse
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Alcohol Abuse focused on measuring motivational interviewing, brief alcohol intervention in primary care
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: patient in University of New Mexico Family and Community Medicine Clinic (e.g. Family Practice, Southeast Height, Northeast Height, University Clinic, South Valley), positive NIAAA single question screen (>0), AUDIT-C score <7, >18 years old, ability to read and speak English, and willing to be contacted for follow-up.
Exclusion Criteria: active suicidality, incarceration, obvious cognitive impairment, unable to provide informed consent, current involvement in an alcohol research study or people who are specifically seeking help for alcohol problems, and pregnancy or intent to become pregnant.
Sites / Locations
- The University of New Mexico
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Experimental
Brief Advice
NIAAA Clinician's Guide
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
The brief advice protocol was designed by removing MI-consistent elements from the NIAAA Clinician's Guide. The protocol involves screening and assessment using the NIAAA pre-screen and single-question screen and assessing for quantity and frequency. Patients exceeding recommended limits receive feedback, information, and advice to cut down drinking to recommended levels. All patients are provided with a tip sheet on strategies for cutting down and encouraged to follow-up with a behavioral health provider with any questions or concerns.
The NIAAA brief intervention was adapted directly from the NIAAA publication "Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician's Guide". The protocol screens using the NIAAA pre-screen and single-questions. Patients exceeding recommended limits receive feedback, information, and advice to cut down. For patients unwilling to make a change, the clinician restates their concern, encourages self reflection by asking the patient about reasons to cut down on drinking and barriers to change, and reaffirms willingness to help. For patients willing to make a change, the clinician helps the patient develop a plan to cut down within maximum limits, agree on specific steps and strategies, and provides a tip sheet on strategies for cutting down.
The MI intervention condition was also adapted from the NIAAA Clinician's Guide, with additional modification to include elements of MI. Clinicians normalize Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) and ask the patient's permission before discussing alcohol use. The NIAAA pre-screen and single-question screen are administered. Assessment of quantity, frequency, and Alcohol Use Disorder symptoms is done using open questions. The ask-tell-ask technique is used to share feedback and exchange information regarding U.S adult drinking patterns. For patients low in readiness to make a change, clinicians build readiness using structured MI tools. For patients high in readiness to change, the ask-tell-ask technique is used to explore strategies for cutting down and develop an action plan.