There is consistent evidence from a large number of studies that brief intervention in primary care can reduce total alcohol consumption and episodes of binge drinking in hazardous drinkers, for periods lasting up to a year. There is limited evidence that this effect may be sustained for longer periods. All groups under study reduced alcohol consumption, but those with brief interventions did so to a greater extent than those in control groups. Very brief interventions (5-10 minutes) may have a similar effect to extended interventions (20-45 minutes or several visits), although the evidence is not consistent
