Brief Alcohol Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults Result in Modest Reductions in Consumption

Alcohol brief interventions (BI) offer promising therapeutic approaches to reducing consumption among certain populations. This meta-analysis examined the overall effects of BI on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, the variation in effects associated with BI and participant characteristics, and the persistence of those effects among adolescents (age 11–18) and young adults (age 19–30). Eligible studies examined BIs that involved ≤ 5 hours of contact time and ≤ 4 weeks between first and last contact time (excluding booster sessions), compared with no treatment, wait-listing, or treatment as usual.

• 185 study samples were identified (in 313 reports) and findings were synthesized using random effects meta-analytic techniques with robust standard errors.
• Alcohol BIs, which were longer for adolescents than for young adults (average 100 versus 55 total minutes spanning 5 days versus 3 days), led to reduced consumption and alcohol-related problems among adolescents and young adults.
• These effects were modest at best, but persisted at one year and did not vary across participant characteristics, intervention duration, or intervention format. Effects were stronger in adolescent populations than in young adults. The findings translated to reductions of 1.0 to 1.3 standard drinking days in a month.

Comments:

These findings suggest that alcohol BI, although hardly “brief” in the traditional sense, in adolescents and young adults may result in reduced consumption and alcohol-related problems. However, the effect sizes were modest and detailed information regarding intervention delivery and the persistence of any effect is limited. Alcohol risk reduction in this population is vital and further research should delineate best practices to achieve this goal.

Jeanette M. Tetrault, MD

Reference:

Tanner-Smith EE, Lipsey MW. Brief alcohol intervention for adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2015;51:1–18.