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An evaluation of two primary care interventions for alcohol abuse among Mexican-American patients
1Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284, USA.
Aims:
This study examined the effects of two primary care interventions (a physician intervention and a clinic-based psychoeducational group) on drinking patterns, psychosocial problems and blood test results (MCV, GGT, SGOT and SGPT).
Design:
Subjects were randomized into one of four treatment groups: physician intervention, psychoeducation, both interventions, or no intervention. Follow-up data were collected at 12 and 18 months.
Setting:
Subjects were recruited from a family practice outpatient clinic managed by a public hospital.
Participants:
Included 175 Mexican-American female and male primary care patients who screened positive for alcohol abuse or dependence. These patients were not seeking help for alcohol problems.
Interventions:
Included a brief physician intervention and a 6-week patient psychoeducational group.
Measurements:
The Diagnostic Interview Schedule assessed subjects for alcohol abuse; the Addiction Severity Index measured alcohol-related problems, including psychosocial issues.
Findings:
All four treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement over time, with few differences between intervention and control groups.
Conclusions:
Assessment can be confounded with brief interventions; future investigators should use non-assessed control groups.