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Emergency department-based brief interventions to reduce use and harms

Summary of the evidence

Rating
  • Unknown effectiveness

Brief interventions in emergency settings were found in a systematic review without meta-analysis (EMCDDA, 2016, 16 studies, N=8 875) to have no effect in:

  • significantly decreasing substance use (mainly alcohol) and related harms 

The same results were confirmed in a more recent narrative systematic review (Kaczorowski et al., 2020, 12 studies) that focused specifically on ER-initiated interventions for opioid users.

Details

Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.

Name of response option
  • Emergency department-based brief interventions
Desired outcome(s)
  • reduce substance use
Area(s)
  • Treatment
Specific substance or pattern of use
  • not-drug specific
Target group(s) or setting(s)
  • emergency department

References

Explore all resources in the Best practice portal

 

Miniguides

A one-stop-shop for anyone planning or delivering health and social responses.

 

Implementation

Implementation inventories including Xchange, Healthy Nightlife Toolbox, EUPC and EIB

 

Evidence

All of the latest research and evidence on drug-related interventions.

 

Standards

Standards and guidelines for drug-related interventions, aimed at improving their quality.

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