Reducing Alcohol Use with Brief Intervention: Resources (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

The toolkit materials listed below help providers with a clinical approach to reduce alcohol use among patients with hepatitis C. Abstaining from alcohol is one of the most important factors in preserving liver health in individuals with hepatitis C, and brief interventions have been found to be cost-effective ways to reduce alcohol consumption. A non-confrontational, patient-centered approach in addressing drinking problems increases the likelihood that the patient will discuss the relevant incentives and barriers associated with behavior change.

Program Materials
	HCRC Teaching Guide for Health Care Providers This guide provides an overview for the provider on how to conduct brief intervention to reduce alcohol use among patients with hepatitis C.
Related Resources
	Hepatitis C and Alcohol This tri-fold patient educational brochure highlights the dangers of heavy alcohol use on liver disease, illustrating the risks for developing cirrhosis or failing antiviral therapy.
	Motivational Counseling Card This counseling card with provider scripts offers a helpful way to begin a patient-centered discussion about lifestyle issues impacting liver health, such as heavy drinking.
	Audit-C / Audit-C Feedback Card The 3-item version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) can help quickly identify persons with hazardous and harmful patterns of alcohol consumption.
	Drinking Diary Card and Change Plan Template (PDF) Patients can record their alcohol use over a 4-week period on this wallet card as a way to monitor their drinking behavior.The opposite side of the card lists 5 important questions for patients who are ready to make a "change plan" to reduce the amount they drink.
Videos and Interactive Resources
	Brief Counseling for Alcohol Misuse A 3-minute video on brief alcohol intervention, a project of the Boston Medical Center, and a product of the Alcohol Clinical Training (ACT) Project. Supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and produced in cooperation with the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health.
	Brief Motivational Interventions for Substance Using Veterans (VA Intranet only) Interactive web tutorial on using a web-based assessment tool to generate personalized feedback regarding a veteran's current level of substance use, and how to discuss this feedback with the veteran to help him or her change behavior.
	Motivation: Behavior Change Counseling in Chronic Care (video) Video from the University of Washington that explains techniques for behavioral interviewing. Also includes the video "Assessing Readiness For Change: Discussing Importance and Confidence."

Clinical Manual

Reducing Alcohol Use with Brief Intervention: Resources