A short motivational talk may help heavy drinkers drink less than no treatment does.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   The studies included 2,767 adults who drank too much. Most were men, and their average age was about 32.

2. 02

   What they did

   A short motivational talk was compared with no treatment in nine studies and with other treatments in nine. In the other-treatment studies, the talks lasted about 53 minutes on average. The other treatments were mostly brief advice or usual care, plus some counselling and therapy.

3. 03

   What happened

   Compared with no treatment, the talks helped people drink a little less. In an extra analysis, the effect was clear at three months or less and close to zero at six months or less. Compared with other treatments, the talks did better on average, but the paper has some impossible numbers.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Across 9 studies, a short motivational talk helped people drink a bit less than no treatment.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 9 studies · vs people who got no treatment · they rated themselves

2. Helped

   Across 9 studies, a short motivational talk helped people drink less than others did.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 9 studies · vs brief advice, usual care or counselling · they rated themselves

Source