Effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions in primary care.

For men who engage in excessive or hazardous drinking and present to their primary care physician for issues not specifically related to alcohol treatment, an intervention of one to four sessions administered by a physician, nurse, or psychologist is effective in reducing weekly alcohol consumption one year later. It is also effective in reducing emergency department visits and alcohol-related injuries. The effect was not demonstrated in women. Longer counseling did not significantly improve the effect.