A randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention after alcohol-related facial injury

Evaluated the effectiveness of a brief motivational intervention on alcohol consumption and misuse in 151 young males (aged 16-35 yrs) with alcohol-related facial injuries. The intervention was treatment as usual plus a 1-session brief motivational intervention administered by a nurse. Three sets of measurements were taken at baseline, 3-month and 1-year follow-up. Collateral measurements were also taken at 1-year follow-up. Primary outcome measures were total alcohol consumption, typical weeks consumption and days abstinent in preceding 3 months. There was a significant decrease in 84-day total alcohol consumption across the year and further, a significant effect for the motivational intervention was demonstrated. This pattern was repeated for days abstinent and alcohol consumption in a typical week as well as alcohol-related problems. There was a significantly greater reduction in the percentage of hazardous drinkers in the motivational intervention group compared to the control group. It is concluded that a proportion of young men change their alcohol consumption following alcohol-related injury. A nurse-led psychological intervention adds significantly to the proportion and magnitude of response. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)