Brief interventions to address substance use among patients presenting to emergency departments in resource poor settings: a cost-effectiveness analysis

MI or MI-PST interventions delivered by lay counsellors have the potential to be cost-effective strategies for the reduction of substance use disorder and depressive symptoms among patients presenting at emergency departments in resource poor settings. Given the high economic, social and health care cost of substance use disorders in South Africa, these results suggest that these interventions should be carefully considered for future implementation.<i>Trial registration</i> This study is part of a trial registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201308000591418).