A new OASIS website for alcohol and cocaine users offers 'self-help' approaches to reducing harmful use. Visitors however need to choose between the substance they are most concerned about, though both tools can be used separately.
For alcohol, the site uses the AUDIT screening tool, an effective approach for identifying levels of alcohol risk for the delivery of brief interventions and treatment responses. The cocaine screening tool was developed for the project based on the AUDIT and includes questions about alcohol use.
Though the effectiveness of web-based self-help resources may still be lacking research, a recent study suggested it is likely to be a worthwhile approach. A number of 'self-help' type resources and information materials are made available by the NHS available at www.drinking.nhs.uk. Links include a self-complete AUDIT and free information pack to order. Other materials for stakeholders to promote can be ordered here.
The AERC Alcohol Academy recently highlighted the need for further recognition of combined alcohol and cocaine use. It called for further exploration into the role of specific brief intervention approaches in its briefing paper 'Cocaethylene: responding to combined alcohol and cocaine use'.
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