Problem drinking, patterns of alcohol use above the recommended limits proposed by the federal government, is associated with injury. Purpose: The overall project goal is to test the effectiveness of a brief intervention delivered during an Emergency Department (ED) visit. The intervention was developed to reduce selected risk-taking behaviors including problem (as compared to dependent) drinking. This abstract reports screening data collected to identify eligible subjects for enrollment in the behavioral trial. Theoretical Framework: Crisis intervention theory suggests a crisis, such as an ED visit, offers a teachable moment to change risky behaviors. Subjects: Adults 18-45 who are patients in the ED are eligible for enrollment in the trial. Dependant drinkers are excluded. Method: On screening days in the ED, all patients are screened for risky behaviors to determine eligibility in the randomized controlled trial (RCT). The RCT has a three group design with a sample size of 400. Potential subjects are asked 10 questions to determine their drinking behaviors and driving practices. Eligible subjects are then enrolled in the study protocol. Results: Over 6,000 subjects have been screened since study inception. Of the initial 2,111 subjects screened, the mean age was 40.9 years (SD 16.04), with 52% male and 48% female. The two largest racial groups represented were African American at 57.7 % and Caucasian (Not Latino) at 39.6%. Of the sample, 47% drank alcohol. Mean standard drinks on a typical day was 1.71 (SD 3.47; min/max 0/48); mean highest number of standard drinks on a single occasion was 2.24 (SD 4.39; min/max 0/50), and mean highest number of drinks in a single week was 4.13 (SD 10.27; min/max 0/108). Conclusions: Approximately half of the subjects drank alcohol, and patterns of drinking were widely variable. The ED population is an appropriate target for interventions to reduce problem drinking.
Session #1222 - Undergraduate Submissions
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)