CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Alcohol - problem drinking - Management
What brief advice should I give to a person who is drinking hazardous or harmful amounts of alcohol?
- Offer a session of structured brief advice on alcohol. If this cannot be offered immediately, offer an appointment as soon as possible.
- Deliver the advice in an empathetic and non-judgmental way, taking 5–15 minutes. Use a recognized, evidence-based resource that is based on FRAMES principles (feedback, responsibility, advice, menu, empathy, and self-efficacy) where possible. A brief intervention pack, How much is too much? Drinking and you, can be downloaded from www.dh.gov.uk.
- The advice should:
- Cover the potential harm caused by the person's level of drinking and offer reasons for changing their behaviour, including the potential benefits to health and well-being.
- Cover the barriers to change.
- Outline practical strategies to help reduce alcohol consumption (to address the 'menu' component of FRAMES). These may include:
- Recognizing and avoiding high risk situations for drinking.
- Recognizing personal cues for drinking (for example stress and being alone).
- Drinking a soft drink for every alcoholic drink, and eating before drinking.
- Trying alternative activities to drinking (coping strategies) — exercise, reading, and exploring other interests.
- Keeping a drinking diary and asking close contacts for help (if acceptable).
- Lead to a set of goals, including the establishment of drinking targets.
- Do not only offer brief advice to a person who may be dependent on alcohol (see Scenario: Dependence on alcohol).
- Provide written and/or interactive information on the consequences of hazardous and harmful drinking, and tips on cutting down. For example, see www.actiononaddiction.org.uk (Action on Addiction) and www.downyourdrink.org.uk (Alcohol Concern).
- Follow up should be organized after the initial appointment and based on the person's choice and the goals set.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement