Screening and Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Reduce Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Adults

Course overview

Unhealthy alcohol use is common and increasing in adults and is the most common cause of premature mortality in the United States. This study systematically reviews the benefits and harms of screening and nonpharmacologic interventions to reduce unhealthy alcohol use to inform the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Two investigators independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles, then extracted data from fair- and good-quality trials, based on predetermined criteria. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate benefits of the interventions.