S17-1SCREENING AND BRIEF INTERVENTIONS FOR ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL SETTING

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence of alcohol use disorders within the different stages of the criminal justice system in the UK. Furthermore it reviewed the worldwide evidence of alcohol brief interventions in the various stages of the criminal justice system. Design/methodology/approach – A rapid systematic review of publications was conducted from the year 2000 to 2014 regarding the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in the various stages of the criminal justice system. The second part of the work was a rapid review of effectiveness studies of interventions for alcohol brief interventions. Studies were included if they had a comparison group. Worldwide evidence was included that consisted of up to three hours of face-to-face brief intervention either in one session or numerous sessions. Findings – This review found that 64-88 per cent of adults in the police custody setting; 95 per cent in the magistrate court setting; 53-69 per cent in the probation setting and 5,913-863 per cent in the prison system and 64 per cent of young people in the criminal justice system in the UK scored positive for an alcohol use disorder. There is very little evidence of effectiveness of brief interventions in the various stages of the criminal justice system mainly due to the lack of follow-up data. Social implications – Brief alcohol interventions have a large and robust evidence base for reducing alcohol use in risky drinkers, particularly in primary care settings. However, there is little evidence of effect upon drinking levels in criminal justice settings. Whilst the approach shows promise with some effects being shown on alcohol-related harm as well as with young people in the USA, more robust research is needed to ascertain effectiveness of alcohol brief interventions in this setting. Originality/value – This paper provides evidence of alcohol use disorders in the different stages of the criminal justice system in the UK using a validated tool as well as reviewing the worldwide evidence for short ( < three hours) alcohol brief intervention in this setting.

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The point-prevalence of alcohol use disorders and binge drinking in an Irish general hospital

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s079096670000940x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 17-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Guy J Molyneux ◽

Elizabeth Cryan ◽

Elisa Dooley

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Binge Drinking ◽

General Hospital ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Adult Population ◽

Alcohol Use Disorders ◽

Point Prevalence ◽

University Teaching

AbstractObjectives: There is a paucity of data concerning the prevalence of alcohol use disorders and binge drinking in the general hospital adult population in Ireland. We therefore examined the point-prevalence of alcohol use disorders and of binge drinking in the adult inpatient population of the acute wards of an Irish university teaching hospital. The secondary aim was to examine gender, age, and patient group (medical/surgical) as risk factors.Method: We administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to all consenting patients (n = 126) on the acute adult medical and surgical wards over one day.Results: 76% of all inpatients on the acute medical and surgical wards were interviewed (n = 126) using the AUDIT.Of the subjects 28% screened positive for an alcohol use disorder. Of these 91% were identified as binge drinkers.A further 8% of the subjects screened positive for binge drinking but were not identified as having an alcohol use disorder.Overall, 36% of the subjects screened positive for either an alcohol use disorder and/or for binge drinking using the AUDIT.Male gender and under 65s were risk factors for both alcohol use disorders and binge drinking.Conclusions: The high point-prevalences of alcohol use disorders and binge drinking in hospital inpatients in particular are a cause for concern as they may have illness complicated by or secondary to undiagnosed alcohol excess. As this population is an easily accessible group for screening, and clinical and economic evidence supports intervention, we recommend screening all acute hospital admissions for alcohol use disorders and binge drinking, followed by appropriate management.

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