Screening and Brief Intervention for Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Mixed Results

Screening and brief intervention are effective for helping some nondependent heavy drinkers reduce alcohol consumption. Two new studies clarify that the setting and severity of alcohol use matter.

In one study, researchers screened for risky drinking by questionnaire in 39 primary care practices in Denmark. Patients who screened positive, but did not have scores consistent with dependence, received 10 minutes of counseling by trained physicians and a recommendation for a follow-up consultation. Of 13,348 patient visits, 58% of patients were eligible for screening (patients who were not attending a repeat visit or were not inebriated, pregnant, or acutely ill), and 10% refused screening; 16% of those remaining screened positive. Only 18% of i…