Table 2 Identified alcohol intervention elements

1. Assessment

1.1 With simple, standard questions

N/A

1.2 With validated screening instrument

e.g., Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C); Measurements in the Addictions for Triage and Evaluation (MATE)

2. Brief intervention

2.1 Psychoeducation

N/A

2.2 Motivational interviewing

Including advice on alcohol intake or seeking treatment (e.g., detoxing or apply to addiction services)

3. Treatment

3.1 Integrated treatment within mental health services

Treating alcohol use and other mental health problems by one provider or team

3.2 In collaboration with addiction services (parallel treatment)

Treating alcohol use and mental health problems simultaneously by different providers, e.g., collaborating with addiction services during intake phase to set up a plan for simultaneous treatment or referring to addiction services while continuing treatment at mental health services

4. Referral

4.1 To addiction services (sequential treatment)

First addressing alcohol use before returning to mental health treatment

4.2 To in-house alcohol clinic (parallel treatment)

N/A

4.3 To dual diagnosis facility (integrated treatment)

N/A

4.4 Back to general practitioner

If hazardous alcohol use or AUD led to rejection from mental health services

5. Collaborations

With addiction services

5.1 Consultations

Including consultations, advice, structural deployment of addiction professionals within mental health services, and regular meetings to review cases and make agreements

5.2 (In)formal collaborative agreements

Collaboration aspects (e.g., consultations or referral practices) formalized through agreements or established informally through practical, on-the-ground arrangements

With other external parties

5.4 With social domain

e.g., home care in case of simultaneous need for physical care, community welfare organizations, or assisted living facilities

5.5 With primary care mental health worker

N/A

6. Information provision

6.1 Training professionals

e.g., e-learning or training days in alcohol assessment, dual diagnosis treatment, and motivational interviewing

6.2 Protocols

e.g., for screening instruments and integrated treatment methods