Motivational interviewing to prevent alcohol abuse after traumatic brain injury: A case series

Objective: Our goal was to test motivational interviewing as a means of pre venting return to alcohol abuse after traumatic brain injury.: Participants : Twelve of 15 inpatients (80%) who screened positive for alcoholism were a pproached about the study. Historical controls were 20 similar but untreate d patients with follow-up data. Results: One-year outcome data were obtaine d on 9 participants (75%). Seventy-six percent were male and an average of 35 years old. Eighty-nine percent of participants and 55% of controls repor ted drinking no alcohol during atypical week at 1 year after discharge. Con clusion: Motivational interviewing is feasible during inpatient rehabilitat ion and may reduce drinking after traumatic brain injury. Controlled studie s are needed.