Lecture 42: Alcohol brief intervention

What are Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) and what tool is used to assess this?

Include hazardous drinking, harmful drinking, and alcohol dependence

AUDIT – Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (used by specialist services)

What do UK guidelines recommend for weekly alcohol limits?

No more than 14 units/week, spread over ≥3 days

(~6 medium glasses of wine or ~6 pints of 4% beer)

What additional risks do some people face with alcohol dependence?

Higher unmet need for support & increased risk of sexual violence while intoxicated

Name major UK alcohol awareness campaigns.

Dry January, Sober Spring, Alcohol Awareness Week

What is an alcohol brief intervention (ABI) and what are its key components?

A structured conversation aimed at reducing hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption

Key components: include screening, feedback, advice, goal-setting, and follow-up, ensuring a comprehensive approach to intervention

What is the FRAMES framework for ABIs?

Feedback: involves sharing the results of screening tools like AUDIT, which assesses alcohol consumption patterns

Responsibility: emphasizes that the decision to change lies with the individual

Advice: should be practical and tailored to the individual's circumstances

Menu of options: list options and many pieces of advice

Empathy: crucial for building rapport and trust

Self-efficacy: encourages individuals by highlighting success stories and providing reassurance that change is possible

What does the AUDIT score mean?

10 questions in total
0-7 = low risk

8-19 = increasing risk

20+ = high risk

→ also has AUDIT-C where C is consumption level

How can ABIs fit into pharmacy practice?

Integrated into medication reviews, health checks, smoking cessation etc