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.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England recently published a position statement on the treatment of alcohol misuse using brief interventions combined with maxillofacial and trauma care. This article gives an overview of the reasons for this statement, the evidence which provides the foundation for this new standard of care and practical advice about how to implement this.