Does race make a difference among primary care patients with alcohol problems who agree to enroll in a study of brief interventions?

This study describes the severity, alcohol consumption, consequences, readi ness to change, and coping behaviors of African-American and white primary care patients enrolled in a trial of brief interventions for problem drinki ng. In multivariate analysis, unemployment but not race was associated with clinical indicators of alcohol problems. African-American reported no diff erent in alcohol consumption and similar quality of life scores. African-Am erican race and unemployment were both associated with increased identifica tion and resolution of alcohol problem. There was no difference in readines s to change, but African-American reported more problems related to alcohol and greater use of coping behaviors to avoid drinking. African-American ma y be better equipped to manage drinking problems when they do occur due to increased familiarity with coping mechanisms.