A systematic review of emergency department interventions for college drinkers

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use in college-age individuals is associated with increased injury risk. Many college drinkers end up in the emergency department (ED) as a result of their drinking, providing a unique opportunity to intervene.

Objective: This systematic review evaluates the existing evidence for the use of brief ED interventions for alcohol use in the college-age population.

Methods: A systematic search of on-line databases was conducted. Articles were limited to those in English published since 1990. Studies were included if they specifically studied 18- to 20-year-old alcohol users, if they were performed in an ED or acute care setting, and if an intervention regarding alcohol use was attempted.

Results: There were 400 studies identified; 60 abstracts were reviewed, 18 full-text articles were evaluated, and 7 met the inclusion criteria for review. Eligible studies focused on alcohol use only, except for one study that addressed alcohol and other drug use. All examined changes in alcohol intake patterns as a primary outcome, and most also looked for reductions in alcohol-related harm. Each found reductions in alcohol intake patterns or reductions in alcohol-related harm in the intervention group, although some between-group differences were not statistically significant reductions.

Conclusion: Seven studies were identified that measured the outcomes of ED interventions for alcohol use in the college-age population. The studied interventions showed promise but had variable success. More research is needed to establish short- and long-term efficacy, specifically in high-risk underage college students.

Keywords: alcohol intervention; college drinkers; emergency department.