Effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions for problem drinking in a general hospital setting: systematic review.

Emmen, Maria J; Schippers, Gerard M; Bleijenberg, Gijs; Wollersheim, Hub · BMJ · 2004

systematic_review · Level I

Where this comes from

Abstract

To determine the effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions for problem drinking in a general hospital setting. Systematic review. Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane Library, reference lists from identified studies and review articles, and contact with experts. Change in alcohol consumption. 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. Evidence for the effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions in a general hospital setting for problem drinkers is still inconclusive.

Medical subject headings