A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract Background Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) are a harm reduction strategy designed for individuals with severe AUD, unstable housing, and previous unsuccessful treatment attempts. MAPs provide access to individualized doses of beverage alcohol alongside other social supports and are effectiv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01232-w |
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| author | Sybil Goulet-Stock Tim Stockwell Meaghan Brown Deidre Rautenberg Bernie Pauly |
| author_facet | Sybil Goulet-Stock Tim Stockwell Meaghan Brown Deidre Rautenberg Bernie Pauly |
| author_sort | Sybil Goulet-Stock |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) are a harm reduction strategy designed for individuals with severe AUD, unstable housing, and previous unsuccessful treatment attempts. MAPs provide access to individualized doses of beverage alcohol alongside other social supports and are effective for stabilizing alcohol consumption and reducing alcohol-related harms. In Canada, MAP models (scattered site outreach or fixed site) were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce harms associated with severe AUD, high-risk drinking, and unstable housing as means of supporting physical isolation and distancing. This study provides a description of novel program models and practices and an in-depth description of nine MAP participants in British Columbia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This research used a longitudinal mixed methods design. Participants included nine individuals enrolled in MAPs in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative interviews assessing mental and physical health, safety, service usage, substance use, quality of life, well-being, physical distancing and risk behaviours, and alcohol-related harms were collected every 2 weeks for up to 3 months (n = 9). Qualitative interviews about experiences, goals, and expectations related to the MAP were conducted (n = 5). MAP records, including alcohol administration, liver function tests, and healthcare records were collected (n = 8). Results Clinician-scattered site outreach or fixed-site MAP models were the most common during the COVID-19 pandemic. The individual findings suggest that MAPs may enhance housing stability, improve health, safety, and well-being, reduce alcohol-related harms, and help participants improve their ability to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of novel MAP models and approaches to alcohol distribution. The findings of this pilot evaluation illustrate the potential role for outreach models in the development of future MAPs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f670ac0cfce4b1b8c60266d5cdf7194 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-2f670ac0cfce4b1b8c60266d5cdf71942025-08-20T01:52:25ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172025-05-0122111110.1186/s12954-025-01232-wA pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemicSybil Goulet-Stock0Tim Stockwell1Meaghan Brown2Deidre Rautenberg3Bernie Pauly4Department of Psychology, University of VictoriaDepartment of Psychology, University of VictoriaCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of VictoriaCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of VictoriaCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of VictoriaAbstract Background Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) are a harm reduction strategy designed for individuals with severe AUD, unstable housing, and previous unsuccessful treatment attempts. MAPs provide access to individualized doses of beverage alcohol alongside other social supports and are effective for stabilizing alcohol consumption and reducing alcohol-related harms. In Canada, MAP models (scattered site outreach or fixed site) were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce harms associated with severe AUD, high-risk drinking, and unstable housing as means of supporting physical isolation and distancing. This study provides a description of novel program models and practices and an in-depth description of nine MAP participants in British Columbia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This research used a longitudinal mixed methods design. Participants included nine individuals enrolled in MAPs in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative interviews assessing mental and physical health, safety, service usage, substance use, quality of life, well-being, physical distancing and risk behaviours, and alcohol-related harms were collected every 2 weeks for up to 3 months (n = 9). Qualitative interviews about experiences, goals, and expectations related to the MAP were conducted (n = 5). MAP records, including alcohol administration, liver function tests, and healthcare records were collected (n = 8). Results Clinician-scattered site outreach or fixed-site MAP models were the most common during the COVID-19 pandemic. The individual findings suggest that MAPs may enhance housing stability, improve health, safety, and well-being, reduce alcohol-related harms, and help participants improve their ability to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of novel MAP models and approaches to alcohol distribution. The findings of this pilot evaluation illustrate the potential role for outreach models in the development of future MAPs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01232-wHarm reductionAlcoholAlcohol harm reductionManaged alcohol programsHomelessnessSevere alcohol use disorder |
| spellingShingle | Sybil Goulet-Stock Tim Stockwell Meaghan Brown Deidre Rautenberg Bernie Pauly A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic Harm Reduction Journal Harm reduction Alcohol Alcohol harm reduction Managed alcohol programs Homelessness Severe alcohol use disorder |
| title | A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | Harm reduction Alcohol Alcohol harm reduction Managed alcohol programs Homelessness Severe alcohol use disorder |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01232-w |
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