Ho, Mei-Hsin and Tsai, Jui-Hsiu and Zim Okoli, Chizimuzo and Hong, Rei-Mei (2026) Effectiveness of brief motivational interviewing for alcohol misuse: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Addictive Behaviors Reports, Early online, 100727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2026.100727.
External website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Alcohol misuse remains a major global public health concern. Brief motivational interviewing (BMI) is a time-efficient, patient-centered intervention for reducing hazardous and harmful alcohol use. This systematic review synthesized evidence from 32 randomized controlled trials published between 2015 and 2025 evaluating BMI interventions for alcohol misuse in adults.
Highlights
- Brief motivational interviewing reduced alcohol use and related harms.
- Evidence from 32 randomized controlled trials supported short-term benefits.
- Binge drinking and alcohol-related consequences consistently decreased.
- Effects were strongest in university and emergency department populations.
- Booster contacts may help sustain intervention effects over time.
B Substances > Alcohol
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Alcohol use disorder
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Psychosocial treatment method
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Psychosocial treatment method > Individual therapy > Brief intervention
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Treatment outcome
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Psychosocial treatment method > Motivational interviewing or enhancement therapy
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Patient / client care management
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Treatment and maintenance > Treatment factors
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Type of care > Emergency care
VA Geographic area > International
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