A study evaluating a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention to reduce hazardous drinking among patients with depression identified several methodological limitations. The study featured a small sample size, a short-term follow-up period, a reliance on self-reported substance use without biochemical verification, and a heterogeneous participant sample. Additionally, a single therapist conducted all sessions, and patients with severe alcohol or drug problems were excluded, as the intervention was not designed to address dependence. Representativeness was also a concern, as 38 percent of patients declined screening and there may have been under-reporting on measures used to identify patients. Finally, patients in specialty psychiatric settings may experience more severe depression than those in other contexts, and cannabis users might have required additional MI sessions.