Emergency Departments and Trauma Centres

There are high rates of alcohol-related injuries and conditions among people attending emergency departments. One Australian study across nine hospitals reported a third of the presentations were alcohol-related. Data  suggest  that a recent alcohol-related emergency admission increases patient receptivity to intervention (a “teachable moment”), indicating  that emergency departments provide an invaluable opportunity for delivering brief alcohol interventions. 

The two most recent meta-analyses of studies examining the effects of brief interventions in emergency department settings, found they reduced alcohol consumption among people with alcohol-related presentations at both short-term and 12 months follow up, but effects were very small. Results were restricted to non-injury specific presentations in one of the studies. An earlier meta-analysis found brief interventions were associated with reductions in alcohol-related injuries compared to standard care, but found no differences in alcohol consumption at 12 month follow up. There is little evidence for the effectiveness of brief interventions for adolescents and young adults with alcohol-related emergency department presentations. The only meta-analysis conducted in this age group concluded that MI was no more effective for reducing alcohol consumption than no, or minimal, treatment control conditions. Similar results were found in three systematic reviews of brief interventions (majority MI) for adolescents and young adults with alcohol-related emergency department presentations.  

In summary, brief interventions in this setting result in reductions in alcohol consumption among adults with alcohol-related emergency department presentations at both short-term and 12 months follow up, but effects are very small. There is little evidence brief interventions are more effective than no treatment, standard care, or minimal alcohol treatment (e.g. educational brochure, assessment feedback) for young people.