1 research outputs found
Factors associated with alcohol reduction in harmful and hazardous drinkers following alcohol brief intervention in Scotland: a qualitative enquiry
Background: Alcohol Brief Intervention (ABI) uses a motivational counselling approach to support individuals to
reduce excessive alcohol consumption. There is growing evidence on ABI’s use within various health care settings,
although how they work and which components enhance success is largely unknown. This paper reports on the
qualitative part of a mixed methods study. It explores enablers and barriers associated with alcohol reduction
following an ABI. It focuses on alcohol’s place within participants’ lives and their personal perspectives on reducing
consumption. There are a number of randomised controlled trials in this field though few ABI studies have
addressed the experiences of hazardous/harmful drinkers. This study examines factors associated with alcohol
reduction in harmful/hazardous drinkers following ABI.
Methods: This qualitative study was underpinned by a realist evaluation approach and involved semistructured
interviews with ten harmful or hazardous alcohol drinkers. Participants (n = 10) were from the
intervention arm of a randomised controlled trial (n = 124). All had received ABI, a 20 min motivational
counselling interview, six months previously, and had reduced their alcohol consumption. Interviews were
recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.
Results: Participants described their views on alcohol, its’ place in their lives, their personal perspectives on
reducing their consumption and future aspirations.
Conclusions: The findings provide an insight into participants’ views on alcohol, ABI, and the barriers and enablers
to change. Participants described a cost benefit analysis, with some conscious consideration of the advantages and
disadvantages of reducing intake or abstaining from alcohol. Findings suggest that, whilst hospital admission can act
as a catalyst, encouraging individuals to reflect on their alcohol consumption through ABI may consolidate this, turning
this reflective moment into action. Sustainability may be enhanced by the presence of a ‘significant other’ who
encourages and experiences benefit. In addition having a purpose or structure with activities linked to employment
and/or social and leisure pursuits offers the potential to enhance and sustain reduced alcohol consumption.
Trial registration: Trial registration number TRN NCT00982306 September 22nd 200