Reducing alcohol harm through Extended Brief Interventions
Just Economics was commissioned to evaluate the HSE's pilot of Extended Brief Interventions (EBIs) to reduce harmful alcohol use in Dublin North.
Extended Brief Interventions (EBIs) bridge the gap in service provision between Brief Interventions (BI) – short, single-session interventions - and specialist interventions for alcohol dependency. EBIs use motivational interviewing to support lasting behaviour change.
Delivered in non-stigmatised community settings, the HSE pilot of the SAOR EBI approach in Dublin North was designed to action a ‘shift left’ into providing an early engagement alcohol intervention in primary care embedded within an integrated care pathway.
Just Economics conducted a mixed-methods prospective evaluation including:
- Interviews with service users
- Interviews and focus groups with EBI practitioners
- Interviews with pilot staff
- Quantitative analysis of output and outcome data
The evaluation found the SAOR EBI pilot to be well-received by service users. Although only a small sample, the data suggested that it was successful in reducing alcohol consumption and in improving wellbeing.
Evaluation of a Brain Health Village
Recovery Approach in Mental Health
The concept of recovery has come to underpin mental health policy in many Anglophone countries. It represents a shift from services based on clinical recovery defined by symptom reduction to recovery as defined by the service user’s view of what is needed to lead a meaningful life.
