Paired intervention model for identified alcohol misuse in secondary care

High numbers of individuals with identified alcohol misuse are being admitted to the secondary care setting. Once individuals are stabilized, from a physical treatment point of view, there is a ‘window of opportunity’ that presents itself from a psychological perspective. Once individuals are stabilized, they often do not require any acute care input but they stay in hospital in order to complete a cross-tolerance prescribing regimen. Listening to the voice of the service user and considering their experience of care, this article discusses the merits of a ‘paired intervention’ response during this period. This refers to the concept of initiating psychological interventions to run in ‘tandem’ with chemically based treatments. Giving equal importance to psychological interventions delivered in conjunction with physical treatments is a way of optimizing this window of opportunity. Initiating a group-based psychological response utilizing a motivational model of intervention can be an extremely facilitative experience within the in-patient environment. The importance of a collaborative delivery of the message regarding the benefits to a paired intervention is discussed. Recognition from medical colleagues of the benefits to a paired intervention is acknowledged. A coordinated response is important if individuals are to be facilitated towards maintenance of positive behavioural change following hospital discharge. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.