Reducing Alcohol Use with Brief Intervention

This guide provides an overview for the provider on how to conduct brief intervention to reduce alcohol use among patients with hepatitis C.

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. Scoring cards for Veterans also are included.

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.

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.

The purpose of this card is to help providers discuss alcohol use with Veterans with hepatitis C. The double-sided card contains tips and reminders: the OARS side discusses motivational interviewing; the FLO side discusses brief interventions. This card, with its brief scripts, may be used in conjunction with the HCRC Teaching Guide. (Use this card instead of the Motivational Counseling card that was previously available.)

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.

Video from the University of Washington that explains techniques for behavioral interviewing. Also includes the video "Assessing Readiness For Change: Discussing Importance and Confidence."