Comparing Brief Alcohol Interventions For HIV-HCV Co-infected Persons

Two types of brief intervention, Brief Advice (BA) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), have
been shown to be efficacious in reducing drinking in non-HIV samples. Our goal is to
determine whether offering counseling beyond Brief Advice, namely MI, has greater alcohol
reduction effects. In the proposed randomized trial, all 300 HIV-HCV co-infected participants
will receive BA delivered by their HIV PCP during a regular HIV visit and will then be
randomized to either a 30-minute Motivational Interviewing Intervention with a Behavioral
Counselor (MI) or to HIV clinic treatment-as-usual. After this initial meeting, drinking
"check-in" (MI or BA) sessions will then be provided telephonically every three months for 18
months. Research assessments will also be done every three months, with a final assessment at
24 months. Our primary outcome is drinks per week.

Inclusion Criteria:

- HIV+

- HCV RNA positive

- consuming on average at least 4 alcoholic drinks per week in the last month

- 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

- current, severe psychiatric symptoms requiring immediate clinical attention (e.g.,
suicidal ideation, current mania, psychosis)

- inability to understand English

- cognitive impairment severe enough to interfere with ability to actively participate

- hepatocellular carcinoma or life expectancy less than 24 months

- plan to move from Providence area in the next 24 months