AlcoTail - Implementation of Tailored Interventions

Summary

This study aims to investigate the implementation and real-world effects of an intervention for harmful use of alcohol and psychoactive medicinal drugs among hospital inpatients. Due to the negative impact of alcohol consumption on health outcomes, a call for action has been made by the Norwegian Ministry of Health, with focus on screening patients for alcohol consumption and evidence-based tailored interventions for those with medium or high consumption. In addition, non-prescribed use of psychoactive medicinal drugs, or concomitant use with alcohol, can also have negative health effects, therefore improved monitoring of the use of these are warranted. Interventions will be introduced as routine procedures at Norwegian hospitals in the upcoming year, and 2500 patients receiving acute medical care will be included in the control group before the intervention is implemented, and 2500 patients in the case group after the implementation is effectuated. This study will evaluate the implementation process using baseline data on self-reported alcohol- and psychoactive medicine use, motivation to reduce consumption and mental distress. In addition, left-over blood samples used for diagnostic purposes will be collected and analyzed for alcohol, psychoactive medicinal and illicit drugs. After 12 months baseline data will be coupled to patient journal data and relevant registry data in order to evaluate the effects of the intervention.

Conditions

• Alcohol Consumption
• Psychoactive Substance Use

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Harmful alcohol use treatment

Patients identified through routine hospital screening as having a potentially harmful alcohol use (AUDIT-C 4-6 points (men) / 3-5 points (women) will receive information about the possible harmful effects of their drinking and will be advised to reduce their consumption. Patients identified with more excessive drinking patterns (AUDIT-C \> 6 (men) / \> 5 (women) will be assessed with blood sample analysis of relevant alcohol biomarkers, psychological assessments for alcohol addiction and withdrawal symptoms, and if necessary referral to alcohol addiction treatment. Patients with severe withdrawal symptoms will be put in CIWA-Ar observation.

BEHAVIORAL

Non-prescribed psychoactive medicinal use treatment

Patients with prescription on psychoactive medicinal drugs are pharmacologically assessed using serum sample analysis. Patients identified with discrepancy in prescribed doses and serum concentrations will have doses adjusted, or be referred to addiction treatment. Patients identified with psychoactive medicinal drugs other than those prescribed will be advised to quit those medications, or be referred to addiction treatment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. Olavs Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Oslo Municipality

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Oslo University Hospital

  lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-09-13

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2027-12-31

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations