Dissertation (MSc Nursing Mental Health)
Background: Alcohol use is associated with risks, such as intoxication, physical and mental harm, alcohol dependence, distress and illness to the drinker, family and friends. This study, studied the use of brief counseling in treating persons with mild alcohol use disorder (AUD). in order to avoid its progression towards worse condition.
Objective: The study objective was to assess the effectiveness of brief counseling in the treatment of persons with mild AUD.
Methodology: The study area was Dodoma Municipality; used qua-experimental design, with quantitative approach. However, 80 study participants were recruited, 40 in the treatment group and another in control group. The data were in a quantitative form, Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Independent t test were used for data analysis.
Results: There was no significant reduction in alcohol use in the treatment and control groups in the first follow-up. But was observed in the second follow-up in both treatment and control groups, but greater in the treatment group p- value <0.033 (95%CI: -3.24 to -0.14).
Conclusion: This study supports that brief counseling significantly reduces alcohol use among individuals with mild AUD.