Evaluating a 30-day alcohol abstinence challenge in heavy-drinking individuals with and without chronic pain: Feasibility, safety, and perceived benefits.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

To combat high-risk alcohol consumption, we introduced a 30-day alcohol abstinence challenge targeted at heavy drinkers with and without chronic pain. Our study aimed to assess the challenge's feasibility and safety and to explore its perceived benefits. Our exploratory aim was to identify participants' coping strategies during the challenge.

Methods

Our single-arm study recruited heavy drinkers from a pain clinic and a university setting (n = 34, 64.7% chronic pain). Participants underwent a modified community-based 30-day challenge, which included motivational interviewing, an individualized start date, and weekly phone check-ins.

Results

We found the 30-day challenge was feasible and safe; 72.3% of eligible heavy drinkers participated in the challenge

SUBMITTER: You DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11757067 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature