Alcohol Considering Change:A model for alcohol diversion programs?

Matt Gleeson, Senior Education & Training Officer, UnitingCare ReGen

ADASC 2013

http://www.facebook.com/ReGenUC @regenuc

Acknowledgements

Julie Bowen

Venetia Brissenden

Brandon Jones

Context

• National Drug Strategy 2010 – 2015

• National Illicit Drug Strategy (NIDS)

Context

• Alcohol related harm

• Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks From Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol Considering Change

Drug

EnvironmentIndividual

EvaluationMethodology

The evaluation form was designed to measure:

• The overall quality of the program• Participant’s self reported development of skills and

knowledge that supports the reduction of potential alcohol related harms

• The impact of the program upon participant’s motivation to change their alcohol use

Registrations &Demographic DataJanuary to December 2011...

138 113

85%

52% E.O.I. Attended

Court Directed Under 24

11 Sessions

3 Facilitators

Findings

95%Overall Quality of program...

Findings

94%Knowledge of alcohol and potential harms increased...

Findings

97%Knowledge of how to reduce harms of drinking...

Findings

98%Understanding of a number of strategies that can assist change...

Findings

86%Confident in making changes...

Considering reducing or ceasing alcohol use...

57%

Limitations

• Self reporting

• Questions regarding future behaviour change does not measure change outcomes

Summary

• ACC meets an otherwise unmet demand

• Appears to be effective in delivering information about alcohol related harms and strategies for reducing these harms

• May be effective in supporting behaviour change

• Further evaluation is required

Questions

References

Klimas J, Field CA, Cullen W, O'Gorman CS, Glynn LG, Keenan E, Saunders J, Bury G, Dunne C. (2012). Psychosocial interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in concurrent problem alcohol and illicit drug users. Cochrane Database Systematic Review. CD009269. Epub 2012 Nov 14.