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Updated: May 31, 2026

05:12
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Alcohol misuse
1Professor, CHSS, George Allen Wing, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
BMJ Clinical Evidence
|July 2, 2011
Summary
This systematic review examines interventions for hazardous or harmful alcohol users not yet dependent. It found that screening and brief interventions in primary care and emergency settings can be effective.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Clinical Medicine
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Alcohol use is a major global cause of death and disease, identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a top five risk factor.
- Approximately 16% of individuals with hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption patterns may develop dependence without intervention.
- This review focuses on interventions for hazardous or harmful alcohol users who are not yet dependent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers in primary care settings.
- To assess the effects of interventions for hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers in emergency department settings.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted, searching major databases including Medline, Embase, and The Cochrane Library up to February 2009.
- Included studies comprised 18 systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or observational studies.
- The GRADE system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for the interventions.
Main Results:
- The review identified and evaluated various interventions for hazardous or harmful alcohol use.
- Evidence quality for different interventions was assessed using the GRADE methodology.
- Information on the effectiveness and safety of interventions was compiled.
Conclusions:
- The systematic review presents findings on the effectiveness and safety of interventions for hazardous or harmful alcohol users.
- Interventions discussed include brief interventions (single or multiple sessions), universal screening plus brief interventions, and targeted screening plus brief interventions.
- These interventions were evaluated within both primary care and emergency department settings.
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