Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Adolescents: The How, What and Where of Reducing Alcohol Consumption and Related Harm Among Young People

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the evidence base on alcohol screening and brief intervention for adolescents to determine age appropriate screening tools, effective brief interventions and appropriate locations to undertake these activities. Methods: A review of existing reviews (2003–2013) and a systematic review of recent research not included in earlier reviews. Results: The CRAFFT and AUDIT tools are recommended for identification of ‘at risk’ adolescents. Motivational interventions delivered over one or more sessions and based in health care or educational settings are effective at reducing levels of consumption and alcohol-related harm. Conclusion: Further research to develop age appropriate screening tools needs to be undertaken. Screening and brief intervention activity should be undertaken in settings where young people are likely to present; further assessment at such venues as paediatric emergency departments, sexual health clinics and youth offending teams should be evaluated. The use of electronic (web/smart-phone based) screening and intervention shows promise and should also be the focus of future research.

Diagnosis-based emergency department alcohol harm surveillance: What can it tell us about acute alcohol harms at the population level?

“…This supports the plethora of literature that documents the association between younger age and harms associated with heavy episodic drinking 2, 8, 12, 36. The ED provides an opportunistic setting for ‘teachable moments’ for young people who may not typically seek help.…”

Alcohol Consumption, Early-Onset Drinking, and Health-Related Consequences in Adolescents Presenting at Emergency Departments in England

“…Some of the questions about alcohol consequences (e.g., ESPAD) are usually asked about the past 12 months; however, in the present study, these questions were only asked of participants who drank alcohol in the past 3 months. Some of the outcomes measured may have been experienced among less recent drinkers (or nondrinkers), and these may not have been captured, especially as at a young age, drinking patterns are often infrequent or irregular [31]. This suggests that questions routinely used to measure drinking in young people may not be sufficiently detailed.…”

Examining an alcohol health worker service's patient coverage

“…Firstly, although several studies have showed that alcohol screening tools used by general healthcare staff Ð typically nurses or healthcare assistants Ð are effective in identifying those with alcohol-related needs (Barrett et al, 2006;Kaner et al, 2013;Drummond et al, 2014;Patton et al, 2014), there is no evidence that patients identified in this way are actually seen by AHWs (Public Health England, 2014). Data to investigate this were requested by the 2014 Public Health England report on alcohol to help illustrate the number of opportunities missed and inform Òoptimum disposition of existing staff resourcesÓ (Public Health England, 2014: 28).…”