Brief and early intervention: experience from studies of harmful drinking

Abstract

Brief and early interventions represent an innovative strategy for the prevention of harm from alcohol and other drugs. The pioneering study of early intervention, undertaken by Kristenson et al. (1983) as part of a preventive medicine programme, demonstrated the efficacy of this approach for problem drinking. Subsequent studies have confirmed these findings. Brief and early interventions have been shown to be effective in a wide range of health care settings, including hospital wards and outpatient clinics, general practice, private health screening facilities and community-based health screening programmes. What is required now is the ascertainment of the most effective settings for brief and early interventions and the incentives needed for incorporation into routine practice.

Differential uptake of a smoking cessation programme disseminated to doctors and midwives in antenatal clinics

“…Other research indicates nurses were more likely than doctors to believe that smoking cessation education should only be given for those patients who seek it. 25 Medical staff are more likely to provide rm advice to quit and to be pessimistic about the effectiveness of smoking cessation intervention. This nding supports other research, which suggests some medical practitioners do not believe brief health education is a useful, effective or essential medical activity.…”

The incidence of alcohol‐related problems and the risk of alcohol withdrawal in a general hospital population

“…These patients comprise the group with a positive consequence score by CAST but not advanced to the stage of being at risk of alcohol, withdrawal. Published data by Saunders and others has documented the value of early intervention in such people [11]. Secondly, one in 12 patients are: at risk of alcohol withdrawal during their stay in hospital and about one in 25 admissions is for an alc.ohol-related problem.…”

Biochemical measures in the diagnosis of alcohol dependence using discriminant analysis

“…This late diagnosis is of particular concern because effective and low cost methods are now available for treating alcohol addiction at an early stage. [2,3] Heavy alcohol consumption for prolonged periods results in marked perturbation of the lipid transport system, reflecting both effects of alcohol on lipid metabolism in hepatic and extra hepatic tissue as well as its marked toxic effects on liver function. [4] Therefore, it is important that the morbid condition, for which alcohol may be a risk factor, is identified and appropriate intervention is planned.…”