Preventing injuries through interventions for problem drinking: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• Problem drinking is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
• Injuries and their antecedents are significant consequences of problem drinking.
• Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions for problem drinking on injury risk is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of problem drinking treatment on injury risk.
• To synthesize findings on injury outcomes following interventions for problem drinking.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 19 randomized controlled trials.
• Searched 12 databases, cross-checked bibliographies, and contacted authors/agencies.
• Included interventions for problem drinking with measured injury outcomes.

Main Results:

• Treatment for problem drinking was associated with reduced suicide attempts, domestic violence, falls, drinking-related injuries, and injury hospitalizations/deaths (27-65% reduction).
• Interventions for convicted drunk drivers decreased motor vehicle crashes and injuries.
• High heterogeneity precluded quantitative synthesis; point estimates had low precision.

Conclusions:

• Treatment for problem drinking shows potential for reducing injuries and their precursors.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these injury-reducing effects.
• Addressing problem drinking is crucial for mitigating injury-related morbidity and mortality.