The present project will implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, but simple model for addressing and treating alcohol problems among patients admitted to outpatient treatment at mental health hospitals, called the '15-Mental'. The 15-Mental supports healthcare professionals in addressing patients' use of alcohol and in helping patients reduce their intake of alcohol if the alcohol intake potentially may affect the patients' primary illness, symptoms, and/or treatment course. The 15-Mental is based on the 15-Method that was originally developed as a toolbox for clinicians in general practice. In 2024, the 15-Method was feasibility-tested in a mental health setting, and based on the feasibility study, the 15-Mental was developed as an adapted version of the original 15-Method.
The present study aims to assess if the 15-Mental, adapted particularly to mental health settings, will lead to a reduction in the proportion of patients with a risky alcohol intake. It will also be investigated if successful implementation of the model will increase patients' adherence to treatment for mental health disorders, prevent premature dropout of treatment, and increase the patients' quality of life. Furthermore, staff's and patients' perspectives on and experiences with the 15-Mental will be explored.