AN EVALUATION OF 2 PRIMARY-CARE INTERVENTIONS FOR ALCOHOL-ABUSE AMONGMEXICAN-AMERICAN PATIENTS

Aims. This study examined the effects of two primary care intervention s (a physician intervention and a clinic-based psychoeducational group ) on drinking patterns, psychosocial problems and blood test results ( MCV, GGT, SGOT and SGPT). Design. Subjects were randomized into one of four treatment groups: physician intervention, psychoeducation, both interventions, or no intervention. Follow-up data were collected at 12 and 18 months. Setting. Subjects were recruited from a family practic e outpatient clinic managed by a public hospital. Participants. Includ ed 175 Mexican-American female and male primary care patients who scre ened positive for alcohol abuse or dependence. These patients were not seeking help for alcohol problems. interventions. Included a brief ph ysician intervention and a B-week patient psychoeducational group. Mea surements. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule assessed subjects for alc ohol abuse; the Addiction Severity Index measured alcohol-related prob lems, including psychosocial issues. Findings. All four treatment grou ps demonstrated significant improvement over time, with few difference s between intervention and control groups. Conclusions. Assessment can be confounded with brief interventions; future investigators should u se non-assessed control groups.