Older hazardous alcohol users Mental and Behavioural Disorders Addiction
Conditions
Interventions
1. Minimal intervention:
The minimal intervention consists of a short, five minute, discussion with the practice nurse, immediately after randomisation, about the health consequences of continued haz
Sponsors
University of York (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Age 55 years or over at time of screening 2. Diagnosis of a hazardous or harmful alcohol use disorder using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria or confirmed hazardous alcohol consumption in the past 90 days using time line follow back method 3. Residing in a stable place of residence 4. Living within commutable distance of the primary care practice 5. Providing informed consent for randomisation, treatment and follow up
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosis of alcohol dependence 2. Treatment for substance use in the past 90 days, excluding nicotine 3. Already seeking help for an alcohol use disorder 4. Other primary drug dependence, excluding nicotine 5. Outstanding legal issues likely to lead to imprisonment 6. Severe mental or physical illness likely to preclude active participation in treatment or follow up
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The primary outcome measure for the study is average drinks per day. This is ascertained using the time line follow back method and the Form-90 instrument. Three other variables can be derived from the data: 1. Percent days abstinent 2. Drinks per drinking day 3. Total alcohol consumed The time line follow back interview is conducted by a trained individual and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The outcome is measured at baseline, 6 months post randomisation and 12 months post-randomisation. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Alcohol related problems measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post randomisation. Alcohol related problems are assessed using the 17-item participant completed Drinking Problems Index (DPI). The DPI has been specifically designed and validated for use in older populations 2. Quality of life is measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post randomisation. Quality of life is measured using the 12-item Short Form (SF-12). SF-12 is a 12-item self completed questionnaire that established validity and reliability for measuring physical health and mental health components of quality of life 3. Health utility will be measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months using the Euro Quality of Life questionnaire (EQ-5D). EQ-5D is a 5-item participant completed questionnaire with established reliability and validity in this population Economic outcome measures: Opportunistic screening costs will be estimated from the actual costs of screening using the actual costs of screening associated with the study. Costs of delivering the minimal intervention and the first two tiers of stepped care will be based upon actual patient contact time from time sheets maintained by practice nurses and therapists. The units of services used will be based upon local costs of services and include allowances for managerial and premises overheads and the costs associated with training and supervision using methods utilised in similar intervention studies. The costs of any specialist referral will be costed using information on the actual costs associated with specialist service provision based upon Department of Health costs of specialist interventions. Participant use of health services, other alcohol services outside the study, public services and criminal justice services will be assessed using a service use questionnaire at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post randomisation. The service use questionnaire has been developed over a number of alcohol intervention studies (STEPWICE 2003; | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed