title: Evaluation of an e-therapy program for problem drinkers: a pilot study.
abstract: An e-therapy program with therapist involvement for problem drinkers was evaluated in a population of 527 Dutch-speaking patients. In a pre-post design weekly alcohol consumption, alcohol-consumption-related health problems, and motivation were assessed. Although the dropout rate was high, patients showed a significant decrease of alcohol consumption and alcohol-consumption-related health complaints. Patients' satisfaction with the e-therapy program was high. The e-therapy program proved to be feasible and attracted patients who were otherwise unlikely to seek help. A randomized controlled trial has to provide more information about reasons for dropout, effectiveness, and the population that benefits most from the e-therapy program. The study's limitations are noted.
authors.affiliation: Tactus Addiction Treatment, Enschede, The Netherlands. m.postel@tactus.nl
authors.forename: Marloes G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Postel
authors.forename: Hein A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: De Haan
authors.forename: Cor A J
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: De Jong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome