Culturally adapted motivational interviewing for Latino heavy drinkers: results from a randomized clinical trial

A randomized clinical trial of culturally adapted and unadapted motivational interviewing to reduce drinking and related problems among heavy drinking Latinos assessed 57 participants at baseline and at 2 (86% retention) and 6 months (84% retention) after treatment. Significant decreases across both treatments were found in heavy drinking days per month and drinking consequences (p < .001), with greater reductions for drinking consequences for culturally adapted motivational interviewing at 2 months (p = .009) and continuing reductions in culturally adapted motivational interviewing at 6 months. Findings provide preliminary support for the value of cultural adaptation to enhance the efficacy of motivational interviewing with Latino heavy drinkers.