Table 1 Classification of interventions within the scope of this review, adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders [21]

1

Screening, brief intervention and referral

1.1 Screening

A brief process to identify indicators for the presence of alcohol use disorder

1.2 Brief intervention

A structured therapy of short duration (typically 5–30 min) with the aim of helping an individual cease or reduce their alcohol consumption

1.3 Referral to treatment

Interventions to speed up or reduce drop-out during referral to treatment, in individuals assessed to have clinically significant harmful alcohol use

2

Psychosocial interventions

2.1 Cognitive behavioural therapy

Patients are introduced to new coping skills and cognitive strategies to replace maladaptive behavioural and thinking patterns

2.2 Contingency management

Patients are given concrete rewards to reinforce positive behaviours, such as abstinence, treatment attendance, or compliance with medication

2.3 Community reinforcement approach

Patients seek to modify the way in which they interact with their community in order to gain positive reinforcement, for example through family interactions, healthy social activities, or employment

2.4 Motivational interviewing/ enhancement

Patients increase their motivation to change a behaviour, through collaborative sessions with a clinician that recognise autonomy of the patient

2.5 Family-oriented treatment approach

A collection of methods that utilise family relationships to positively influence the behaviour of an individual with alcohol use disorder. Families and caregivers may participate in and support the treatment process

2.6 Mutual help group

Patients participate in groups that provide information, structured activities and peer support in a non-judgemental environment

3

Pharmacological interventions

3.1 Anticonvulsants

e.g. carbamazepine, gabapentin, topiramate

3.2 Antidepressants

e.g. sertraline, citalopram

3.3 Antipsychotics

e.g. tiapride, cyametazine

3.4 Aversive agents

e.g. disulfiram

3.5 Baclofen

3.6 Benzodiazepines

e.g. diazepam, oxazepam, chlordiazepoxide

3.7 Acamprosate

Glutamate antagonist

3.8 Opioid antagonist

e.g. naltrexone, nalmefene

3.9 Other

e.g. GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid), nitrous oxide

4

Treatment package

4.1 Psychosocial

More than one psychosocial intervention administered over the same treatment period

4.2 Pharmacological

More than one pharmacological intervention administered over the same treatment period

4.3 Psychosocial and pharmacological

A combination of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions administered over the same treatment period

5

Miscellaneous

e.g. yoga, acupuncture, physical activity