title: Moderating drinking by correspondence: an evaluation of a new method of intervention.
abstract: Recognizing the need to offer alternative methods of brief interventions, this study developed correspondence treatments for low-dependent problem drinkers and evaluated their impact. One hundred and twenty-one problem drinkers were recruited by media advertisements and were randomly allocated to a full cognitive-behavioural treatment programme (CBT) or to a minimal intervention condition (MI) that gave information regarding alcohol misuse and instructions to record drinking++. As predicted, CBT was more effective than MI in reducing alcohol consumption over the 4-month controlled trial period. CBT produced a 50% fall in consumption, bringing the average intake of subjects within recommended maximum levels. Treatment gains at 6 months were well maintained to 12 months. High levels of consumer satisfaction, a high representation of women and a substantial participation from isolated rural areas attested to the feasibility of the correspondence programme as an alternative treatment. However, some drinking occasions still involved high intake for a significant subgroup of subjects, and this issue will be addressed in future programmes. The results supported the use of correspondence delivery as a means of promoting early engagement and equity of access between city and country areas.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sitharthan
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sayer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013695:Temperance; D016896:Treatment Outcome