Development and Implementation of a Structured Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorders for Telephone Helpline Services

Abstract

A six-session intervention for harmful alcohol use was piloted via a 24-hour alcohol and other drug (AOD) helpline, assessing feasibility of telephone-delivered treatment. The intervention, involving practice elements from Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and node-link mapping, was evaluated using a case file audit (n = 30) and a structured telephone interview one month after the last session (n = 22). Average scores on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) dropped by more than 50%, and there were significant reductions in psychological distress. Results suggest that, even among dependent drinkers, a telephone intervention offers effective and efficient treatment for those unable or unwilling to access face-to-face treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Nondependent drinkers
• telephone-assisted treatment
• treatment effectiveness
• AUDIT
• psychological distress

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors would like to thank the staff and clients of the Turning Point DirectLine service for their contribution to this project.

FUNDING

The authors would like to thank the Victorian Department of Health for funding support and assistance in developing this work.