Brief opportunistic intervention: The role of psychologists in initiating self-change amongst problem drinkers

Excessive consumption of alcohol is a serious public health problem. While intensive treatments are suitable for those who are physically dependent on alcohol, they are not cost-effective options for the vast majority of prob lem drinkers who are not dependent. There is good evidence that brief inter ventions are effective in reducing overall alcohol consumption, alcohol-rel ated problems, and health-care utilisation among nondependent problem drink ers. Psychologists are in an ideal position to opportunistically detect peo ple who drink excessively and to offer them brief advice to reduce their dr inking. In this paper we outline the process involved in providing brief op portunistic screening and intervention for problem drinkers. We also discus s methods that psychologists can employ if a client is not ready to reduce drinking, or is ambivalent about change. Depending on the client's level of motivation to change, psychologists can engage in either an education-clar ification approach, a commitment-enhancement approach, or a skills-training approach. Routine engagement in opportunistic intervention is an important public-health approach to reducing alcohol-related harm in the community.