RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effectiveness of general practice interventions for patients with harmful alcohol consumption.
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 386
OP 389
VO 43
IS 374
A1 P Anderson
YR 1993
UL http://bjgp.org/content/43/374/386.abstract
AB Harmful alcohol consumption can have severe consequences for both the individual and society. A review of the six published studies on the effectiveness of general practitioner interventions for individuals with harmful alcohol consumption suggests that between five and 10 minutes of advice leads to reductions of alcohol consumption of around 25-35% at follow up six months or one year later. Two of the three studies which failed to demonstrate an intervention effect had inadequate sample sizes and in two of the studies the control group was a comparison group which received minimal advice to reduce alcohol consumption. There was greater evidence for an intervention effect among men than women. The methodological problems of the studies are discussed.