Effectiveness of alcohol, smoking, and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST)-linked brief intervention in reducing tobacco and alcohol use among coal mine workers: An experience from a randomized controlled trial from West Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND

Coal mine workers are more prone to substance use and mental health disorders, a public health concern.

AIM: This study evaluated the effectiveness of alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST)-linked brief intervention (BI) in reducing tobacco and alcohol use among coal mine workers. Additionally, the effect of BI was also documented in addressing depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QoL) among study participants.

METHODS

Conducted in Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Raniganj, West Bengal, India, from March 2024 to February 2025, the study included 296 participants having a moderate risk of substance use. They were randomly assigned to intervention (145) and control groups (151) by simple randomization. No restrictions were applied, and group assignments followed a concealed sequence. The intervention group received ASSIST screening, health advice, and a culturally adapted BI. The control group received only ASSIST screening and health advice. Follow-ups occurred at 1, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed a greater reduction in alcohol and tobacco use over the 6-month period. Their median scores decreased (tobacco: 18 to 12, alcohol: 15 to 9), while the control group's scores remained unchanged (tobacco: 18, alcohol: initially 15, and then 12 at the end). Depression and anxiety increased at the end of follow-up, while quality of life improved across the follow-up, and nearly all participants reported average or above-average QoL in the 3rd follow-up in both groups.

CONCLUSION

World Health Organization (WHO)'s BI significantly reduced substance uses scores and improved QoL among coal mine workers. The ASSIST-linked BI was feasible and effective in workplace settings.