The Drinker's Check-up: 12-month outcomes of a controlled clinical trial of a stand-alone software program for problem drinkers.
Sixty-one problem drinkers were randomly assigned to either immediate treatment or a 4-week wait-list control group. Treatment consisted of a computer-based brief motivational intervention, the Drinker's Check-up (DCU). Outcomes strongly support the experimental hypotheses and long-term effectiveness of the treatment. Overall, participants reduced the quantity and frequency of drinking by 50%, and had similar reductions in alcohol-related problems that were sustained through 12-month follow-up. The DCU seems to be effective in enhancing problem drinkers' motivation for change.
Hester
Reid K
RK
Research Division, Behavior Therapy Associates, LLP, Albuquerque, NM 87112, USA. reidhester@behaviortherapy.com
Squires
Daniel D
DD
Delaney
Harold D
HD
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012984:Software; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014850:Waiting Lists
D000431:Ethanol