UQ study to examine reduction of alcohol consumption

People thinking about reducing their alcohol consumption are needed for a University of Queensland study.

Psychiatry researchers within UQ’s School of Medicine are undertaking a trial of correspondence-based management of people experiencing depression who may be drinking at levels harmful to their heath.

"We have found that many people could be helped to improve their mood and cut down their drinking in the privacy of their own homes through mail and phone contact with a therapist," said UQ researcher Phillip Stacey.

Participants need to be living in Brisbane or its immediate surrounds, be thinking about reducing their alcohol consumption and be willing to complete several forms during the three-month program. Following the program, participants will also be sent follow-up forms every three months for a year.

Information will be strictly confidential and all participants will be required to consult a General Practitioner prior to commencing the program to ascertain if it is suitable.

The research is being undertaken at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in Brisbane under the supervision of UQ’s Associate Professor David Kavanagh from the School of Medicine.

People interested in participating should contact Mr Stacey on 1300 300 164 or email pstacey@ccs.uq.edu.au

Media: for further information, contact Mr Stacey (telephone 07 3346 4637, email pstacey@ccs.uq.edu.au) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619).