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Background and aims: Reducing alcohol consumption by liver disease patients can reduce morbidity and mortality. This study compared a computer‐delivered brief alcohol intervention (cBAI) with standard care in a sample of US military veterans with liver disease. Design Multi‐site, randomized controlled trial of a cBAI plus standard care (n = 67) versus standard care only (n = 71). Participants were assessed at baseline and 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Setting: US Veterans Health Administration liver clinics. Participants: Participants were mostly male and diagnosed with hepatitis C. Interventions and comparators: A cBAI tailored to veterans with liver disease and consisting of assessment and personalized feedback. Standard care was brief education and advice about alcohol and liver disease. Measurement Primary outcomes were self‐reported number of drinking days and unhealthy drinking days (defined as more than two drinks for men and more than one for women) in the past 30 days at 6‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes were these two variables at 3‐month follow‐up, and drinks consumed per drinking day, depression and overall health at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation. Findings Compared with standard care, cBAI participants reported significantly fewer drinking days at 6‐month follow‐up and fewer unhealthy drinking days at both 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. Least square means (LS‐means) for number of drinking days were 3.78 for the cBAI condition and 6.89 for the standard care condition at 6 months [LS‐mean ratio = 3.78/6.89 = 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34, 0.89]. LS‐means for number of unhealthy drinking days were 1.04 for the cBAI condition and 2.57 for the standard care condition at 3‐month follow‐up (LS‐mean ratio = 1.04/2.57 = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.85). At 6‐months follow‐up, LS‐means were 1.18 for the cBAI condition and 2.75 for the standard care condition (LS‐mean ratio = 1.18/2.75 = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20, 0.91). Conclusions: A computer‐delivered brief alcohol intervention reduced drinking days and unhealthy drinking days at 6‐month follow up in military veterans with liver disease compared with brief education and advice to reduce consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the roles, actions, and resources developed by a group of leaders from the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) within the Department of Veterans Affairs during the unprecedented times of spring of 2020, when society was shaken by the fears and challenges of COVID-19 as well as social unrest sparked by the murder of George Floyd. We share a summary of our efforts to move beyond platitudes and statements and bring meaningful and sustainable change in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within OMHSP and across mental health services in Department of Veterans Affairs. This article is written through the lens of the founding members of the OMHSP's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).