Issues

Preoperative alcohol use is associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Short-term abstinence prior to elective surgery has been shown to reduce postoperative risks. Therefore, behavioural intervention (BI) targeting risky drinking may have significant utility in preventing surgical complications.

Approach

The literature was systematically reviewed to identify the scope and outcomes of BIs aiming to reduce alcohol use in risky drinkers before they underwent surgery. Five databases were searched using PRISMA criteria. Of 1243 studies identified, four met pre-established inclusion criteria: (i) implementation of a BI prior to an elective surgery; (ii) the BI-targeted alcohol use among risky drinkers; and (iii) printed in English.

Key findings

Two studies indicated significant reductions in alcohol use at follow ups, and one study demonstrated reductions in postoperative risks. These findings are encouraging, but in light of methodological limitations, the efficacy of preoperative BIs for risky drinking could not be determined.

Implications

Future efforts to screen and implement BIs addressing alcohol use in preoperative patients should carefully define risky drinking, allow ample time for recruitment prior to surgery, implement empirically supported interventions, examine the impact of relevant covariates, and consider the statistical power needed to detect change in postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Given the strong link between preoperative alcohol use and postoperative risks, additional research on preoperative BIs is critically needed. Existing research suggests several promising directions for research that may enhance future intervention efforts with this high-risk population. [Fernandez AC, Claborn KR, Borsari B. A systematic review of behavioural interventions to reduce preoperative alcohol use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:508-20].

Background

Both drinking location and pregaming have been associated with heavy alcohol use among college students, yet the manner by which they uniquely contribute to alcohol intoxication remains unclear.

Objective

The current study examined the unique utility of drinking location and pregaming in predicting alcohol intoxication among college students who violated campus alcohol policy.

Method

Between 2011 and 2012, mandated college students who reported drinking prior to their referral events (N = 212, 41% female, 80% White, Mage = 19.4 y) completed a computerized assessment of drinking location and related behaviors as part of larger research trial. Chi-squared statistics, t-tests, one-way analyses of covariance, and regression were used to examine study aims.

Results

Participants were most likely (44%) to report drinking in off-campus housing prior to the referral event, and approximately half (47%) reported pregaming. Alcohol intoxication on the night of the referral event differed significantly as a function of both drinking location and pregaming, but pregaming did not moderate the association between drinking location and alcohol intoxication among mandated students. Female birth sex, pregaming, and drinking at either fraternities or off-campus housing predicted greater levels of alcohol intoxication on the night of the referral incident, while drinking in a residence hall/dorm predicted lower intoxication.

Conclusions/importance

Drinking location and pregaming are distinct predictors of alcohol intoxication among mandated college students. Future interventions may benefit from targeting both where and how college students consume alcohol.

BACKGROUND: High-risk alcohol use is a common preventable risk factor for postoperative complications, admission to intensive care, and longer hospital stays. Short-term abstinence from alcohol use (2 to 4 weeks) prior to surgery is linked to a lower likelihood of postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of 2 brief counseling approaches to reduce alcohol use in elective surgical patients with high-risk alcohol use in the perioperative period. METHODS: A semistructured interview study was conducted with a group of high responders (who reduced alcohol use ≥50% postbaseline) and low responders (who reduced alcohol use by ≤25% postbaseline) after their completion of a pilot trial to explore the acceptability and perceived impacts on drinking behaviors of the 2 counseling interventions delivered remotely by phone or video call. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, 19 participants (10 high responders and 9 low responders) from the parent trial took part in interviews. Three main themes were identified: (1) the intervention content was novel and impactful, (2) the choice of intervention modality enhanced participant engagement in the intervention, and (3) factors external to the interventions also influenced alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the acceptability of both high- and low-intensity brief counseling approaches. Elective surgical patients are interested in receiving alcohol-focused education, and further research is needed to test the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing drinking before and after surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03929562; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03929562.

Objectives

Elective surgical patients with unhealthy alcohol use have unique pain management needs and addiction risk factors that are relevant to surgical preparation and recovery. This descriptive qualitative study sought to better understand patients' beliefs and behaviors related to opioid use, alcohol use, and pain management in the perioperative context.

Design

We conducted individual semi-structured interviews between July 2017 and March 2018.

Setting

A large Midwestern academic health system.

Subjects

Participants were elective surgical patients meeting unhealthy alcohol use criteria, recruited from the health system's preoperative anesthesia clinic.

Method

Semistructured interview guides explored beliefs and behaviors relating to alcohol and opioid use, health status, and surgical care. Interview recordings were transcribed and coded for thematic analysis.

Results

Among 20 elective surgical patients (25% female), we identified three key themes regarding alcohol use, opioid use, and their co-use before and after surgery. First, desires and intentions to use opioids for postoperative pain management varied widely, even before opioids were prescribed. Second, some participants described alcohol as a preferred pain management strategy. Third, participants held a range of beliefs about the risks and benefits of alcohol and opioid co-use.

Conclusions

Appropriate assessment of beliefs and intentions regarding opioid and alcohol use could help identify patients most vulnerable to new opioid problems and unhealthy alcohol use in the context of perioperative surgical pain. These findings have important implications for perioperative pain management.

Objective

Concurrent use of marijuana and alcohol among college students is highly prevalent and associated with negative consequences. It remains unclear whether marijuana use is influenced by or lessens the efficacy of alcohol interventions delivered within a stepped-care approach.

Method

Participants were 530 college students who violated campus alcohol policy and were mandated to an alcohol-focused brief advice (BA) session. Participants who reported continued risky alcohol use (4+ heavy drinking episodes and/or 5+ alcohol-related consequences in the past month) six weeks following the BA session were randomized to a brief motivational intervention (BMI; n=211) or assessment only (AO; n=194) condition. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6, and 9months' post-intervention.

Results

Multiple regression analyses revealed that marijuana user status did not influence drinking outcomes following the BA session. However, hierarchical linear models suggested that marijuana users who were randomized to BMI or AO reported higher levels of binge drinking, pBAC and consequences compared to non-users, regardless of condition. Despite this, heavy drinking marijuana users and nonusers had equivalent reductions on alcohol use outcomes following the BMI sessions. Marijuana users who received a BMI did not significantly reduce marijuana use frequency compared to participants in the AO group.

Conclusion

Use of marijuana did not lessen the efficacy of the BA session on alcohol use or consequences. Findings suggest that marijuana users respond similarly to alcohol interventions as do non-users and can benefit from brief or more intensive alcohol interventions. A marijuana-focused intervention may be warranted to facilitate changes in marijuana use.

College students frequently engage in drinking games (DGs) and experience a variety of consequences as a result. It is currently unknown whether brief motivational interventions (BMIs) that provide feedback on DG participation can reduce this high risk behavior. This study examined outcome data from 2 randomized clinical trials to examine whether BMIs facilitate change in DG frequency and how these changes may occur. Mandated college students (Trial 1, N = 198, 46% female; Trial 2, N = 412; 32% female) were randomized to BMI or comparison control conditions. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to compare the BMI and comparison groups to determine whether the BMI reduced DG participation over time. Percent change talk (PCT) during the discussion of DG during the session was examined as a predictor of change in DG frequency, and gender was examined as a moderator of treatment effects. Controlling for regular drinking frequency, participants who received a BMI did not significantly reduce their DG frequency relative to the comparison group in either sample, and the BMI was equally ineffective at reducing DG behavior for men and women. DG-related PCT during the BMI was associated with lower DG frequency at the second follow-up in both trials. In Trial 1, PCT during the BMI was associated with less steep increases in DG frequency across the course of all follow-ups. Effects of PCT on DG behavior were not moderated by gender. Findings did not support hypothesized reductions in DG participation following a BMI. Future research should explore whether targeted DG-specific interventions could reduce DG participation and the role of in-session client language in facilitating such change. (PsycINFO Database Record

Objectives

Risky alcohol use before surgery is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and longer hospital stays. Preoperative alcohol interventions can improve surgical outcomes but are not commonly integrated into routine care. This study sought to better understand patient's and provider's perceptions of alcohol-related surgical health and healthcare practices and illuminate gaps in care and how they could be improved.

Methods

This study used a descriptive qualitative research design. Data were collected between July 2017 and March 2018. One-on-one interviews assessed domains related to knowledge, gaps in alcohol-related screening and intervention, and interest in enhancing alcohol-related care. Key themes emerged from a process of iterative coding and thematic analysis.

Results

Participants included elective surgical patients who met alcohol screening criteria (n = 20) and surgical healthcare providers (n = 9). Participants had modest or low awareness of alcohol-related surgical health risks. Basic alcohol screening was a routine part of care, but results were often discounted or overlooked. Providers did not routinely initiate preoperative alcohol education or intervention. Providers viewed improving alcohol-related clinical practices as a low priority. Patients were interested in receiving alcohol interventions before surgery if they were delivered in a nonjudgement style and focused on surgical health optimization.

Conclusions

This study highlights potential gaps in alcohol-related knowledge and care, and found providers place a low priority on alcohol interventions in the perioperative context. Given the high complication rate associated with preoperative alcohol use, these topics are worthy of future research. To be successful strategies to overcome specific barriers to alcohol screening and intervention must address the needs of patients and providers.

Objective

Brief motivational interventions (BMIs) are currently the most efficacious individual intervention for mandated college students. However, little is known about how BMIs facilitate client language in relation to subsequent changes in alcohol use and problems in mandated student samples.

Method

The current study used the Motivational Interviewing Skills Code (MISC 2.0; Miller, Moyers, Ernst, & Amrhein, 2003) to code BMI sessions (N = 252) from 2 randomized clinical trials that led to significant reductions in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems in mandated student drinkers. A proportion of change language was calculated for each decile (1st to 10th) of the BMI sessions.

Results

Latent class analyses of in-session speech indicated that there were 3 distinct trajectories of change language over the course of the session: high (n = 59), increasing (n = 122), and low (n = 71). Members of the high trajectory group showed higher rates of alcohol-related problems prior to the BMI and members of the low trajectory group were more likely to be male. Six months following the BMI, members of the high and low trajectory groups demonstrated significant reductions in alcohol use and problems, and members of the increasing trajectory group only reduced alcohol-related problems.

Conclusions

Associations among the 3 trajectories of client change language and subsequent reductions in alcohol use and problems partially supported the technical hypothesis of MI efficacy. Client factors as well as the nature of the discussion of personalized feedback may determine the link between in-session client language and subsequent behavior change. (PsycINFO Database Record

BACKGROUND: High-risk alcohol use is a common surgical risk factor. Stopping or reducing alcohol use in the weeks before and after surgery could improve surgical health and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of 2 interventions that address high-risk alcohol use in the context of surgery. METHODS: Participants included patients scheduled for elective surgeries at an academic health system in the Midwestern United States. Recruitment took place by phone and text. Participants were included if they were 18 to 75 years old, scheduled for elective surgeries, and scored ≥5 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption Tool. Participants were randomized to either a low-intensity intervention, brief advice (10-minute phone-based psychoeducation plus feedback session), or a higher-intensity intervention, health coaching (two 45-minute sessions including education, feedback, motivational interviewing, and goal setting). Assessments took place at baseline and at 1-month and 4-month follow-ups. Alcohol biomarkers were collected the day of surgery. RESULTS: The final study sample included (n = 51) participants randomized to brief advice and health coaching conditions. Participants in both conditions rated interventions as satisfactory and personally relevant. Trial retention was high (86.3%) at 4 months. Attrition was significantly higher in brief advice (n = 6) relative to health coaching (n = 1). Average weekly alcohol use decreased 50% to 60% between baseline and follow-ups in both conditions. Biomarkers corroborated self-report. CONCLUSION: The trial demonstrated intervention feasibility and acceptability. Alcohol use changed in expected directions. The next steps include a randomized controlled trial to test intervention efficacy in reducing alcohol use and surgical complications.