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

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief motivational intervention on alcohol consumption and misuse in young males with alcohol‐related face injury. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Oral and maxillofacial surgery out‐patient clinic in an urban teaching hospital. Participants One hundred and fifty‐one participants were randomized to motivational intervention and control conditions. Interventions Control was treatment as usual. The intervention was treatment as usual plus a one‐session brief motivational intervention administered by a nurse. Measurements 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. Other outcome measures included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, a short form of the Alcohol Problems Questionnaire, and a measure of satisfaction with social relationships. Results There was a significant decrease in 84‐day total alcohol consumption across the year (P < 0.006) and further, a significant effect for the motivational intervention was demonstrated (P < 0.029). 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 (from 60% to 27%, P < 0.009) compared to the control group (from 54% to 51%, NS). Conclusion 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.