Both acamprosate and naltrexone appear to reduce the risk of individuals returning to drinking alcohol in those who are alcohol-dependent. The country in which a randomized control trial (RCT) for the efficacy of acamprosate and naltrexone is completed does not appear to explain the variance in trial outcomes for returning to drinking alcohol or discontinuing drinking due to adverse effects. However, the country in which the RCT of acamprosate are completed may be important for explaining the variance between studies for the outcome 'discontinuing treatment for any reason'.

Brief intervention (BI) to reduce alcohol consumption is associated with reducing grams of alcohol consumed per week among hazardous and harmful drinkers at 6- and 12-month follow-up in primary health care and emergency department trials. The geographical region in which trials are undertaken does not appear to explain the variance in trial outcomes for reducing alcohol consumption.

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Aims To explore adolescents’ experiences of consenting to, and participating in, alcohol intervention trials when attending for emergency care. Methods In-depth semi-structured interviews with 27 adolescents (16 males; aged 14–17 years (M age = 15.7)) who had taken part in one of two linked brief alcohol intervention trials based in 10 accident and emergency departments in England. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subject to thematic analysis. Results Research and intervention methods were generally found to be acceptable though confidentiality was important and parental presence could hinder truthful disclosures regarding alcohol use. Participants discussed the importance of being involved in research that was relevant to them and recognised alcohol consumption as a normative part of adolescence, highlighting the importance of having access to appropriate health information. Beyond this, they recognised the benefits and risks of trial participation for themselves and others with the majority showing a degree of altruism in considering longer term implications for others as well as themselves. Conclusions Alcohol screening and intervention in emergency care is both acceptable and relevant to adolescents but acceptability is reliant on confidentiality being assured and may be inhibited by parental presence. Trial registration ISRCTN Number: 45300218