The objective of this project was to test whether screening and brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use leads to improved alcohol-related outcomes (such as alcohol consumption and linkage to alcohol assistance) and is cost-effective.

In this study the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use in a diverse group of hospitalized medical patients was tested.

We conducted a randomized trial of medical inpatients with the whole spectrum of alcohol problems from risky use through dependence. Subjects in one group received standard care; subjects in the second group received a brief motivational intervention tailored to the severity of his or her alcohol problem. Primary outcomes are alcohol consumption and linkage to alcohol treatment. Additional outcomes include health-related quality of life, health care utilization, alcohol problems, and readiness to change. Costs, and clinical outcomes measured in quality-adjusted life years, a standard metric that allows comparison to other chronic illnesses, will be compared in a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Fluent in English or Spanish
• Consume risky amounts of alcohol
• Provide 2 contacts to assist with follow-up
• Have no plans to move from the local area within a year of screening
• Score >21 on Mini-Mental State Examination (no serious cognitive impairment)