Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40413535›Full record

ArticleHarm reduction journal2025

A pilot evaluation of managed alcohol programs operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sybil Goulet-Stock, Tim Stockwell, Meaghan Brown, Deidre Rautenberg, Bernie Pauly

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Harm reduction journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sybil Goulet-StockDepartment of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. sybilgouletstock@uvic.ca.
Tim StockwellDepartment of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Meaghan BrownCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Deidre RautenbergCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Bernie PaulyCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundManaged 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.

methodsThis 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).

resultsClinician-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.

conclusionsThe 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.

Indexed as

Alcohol DrinkingAlcoholismCOVID-19Harm ReductionAdultBritish ColumbiaFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsPhysical DistancingPilot ProjectsProgram EvaluationSARS-CoV-2AlcoholAlcohol harm reductionCOVID-19 pandemicHarm reductionHomelessnessManaged alcohol programsSevere alcohol use disorder

Identifiers

PMID40413535
PMCPMC12102903

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.