Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, September 20, 2007

A comparison of brief intervention versus simple advice for alcohol use disorders in a North India community-based sample followed for 3 months
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2007 42(4):328-332;




To examine the change in alcohol use parameters following a brief intervention (BI) based on the FRAMES protocol, compared to simple advice (SA), in a community setting in North India.

Of the 90 subjects, 87 (96.7%) were available for follow up in the first month and 86 (95.6%) in the third month. There was significant improvement across many drinking and QOL parameters in both the BI and SA groups, Significant differences were noticed across interventions, with a decrease in severity of dependence as measured by alcohol use in the last 30 days, composite ASI scores & improvement in physical and psychological quality of life, in those who received BI compared to those who received SA.

Changes in motivation toward action were documented at first follow up, but were not sustained in either of the interventions.

BI had a slight advantage over SA in excessive users of alcohol in this community setting in India. It is probable that booster sessions would be needed to achieve sustained effect.

Read Full Abstract

Reprint Request E-Mail: hemraj_pal@yahoo.co.uk , hemrajpal@gmail.com

______________________________________________________________