Objective: The present study was to examine the efficacy of Telephone-based intervention (TBI) with alcohol abusers.

Material and Method: Sixty individuals suffering from alcohol abuse were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 30) (in which the TBI was modified based on the combination of motivational interviewing and supportive techniques), or the control group (n = 30) (in which the participants received mail concerning health promotion). Each participant in the intervention group received individual weekly therapy sessions of 20 to 30 minutes via telephone for six weeks. Simultaneously, the participants in the control group received weekly mails for six weeks. Assessment was done at weeks 0, 6, and 18. The primary outcome was defined as a change in the amount of alcohol consumed and the number of days spent drinking. Anxiety, depression, and self-esteem were also compared between the two groups. All were analyzed by intention-to-treat.

Results: After 18 weeks, 54 out of the original 60 participants had complete data sets. The mean amount and frequency of alcohol consumption was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (4.1 days + 2.0 vs. 2.8 days + 2.0, p < 0.01). At the end of week six, 37.3% of participants in the experiment group (compared with 11.8% of the control) had successfully decreased their alcohol consumption (χ2 = 16.49, df = 1, p < 0.001, with an NNT = 1.69). The frequency of drinking, as determined by the number of drinking days per week, was significantly lower in the experiment group from baseline than in the control group at week 6 (χ2 = 18.20, df = 1, p < 0.001, with an NNT = 1.8). There was no difference between week 6 and the end of week 18 regarding amount and frequency of drinking in both groups. There was no difference in depressive, anxiety and self-esteem scores between the two groups over time and these factors were found to have no effect on alcohol consumption in either group. A common problem reported in the telephone group was connection failures.

Conclusion: Telephone motivational interviews showed promise in being effective in reducing the frequency and amount of drinking for non-treatment-seeking primary care patients who abuse alcohol. Moreover, the effect of the intervention lasted for at least three months. Limitations of the present study are discussed.

Keywords: Telephone-based intervention, Psychotherapy, Alcohol abuse