title: Drinking goal choice and outcomes in a Web-based alcohol intervention:   results from VetChange.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of the paper are to describe characteristics of participants who chose moderation and abstinence drinking goals, and to examine post-treatment drinking outcomes based on patterns of goal choice during a Web-based alcohol intervention for returning U.S. Veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a descriptive secondary analysis of a subsample of 305 of 600 Veterans who participated in a clinical trial of VetChange, an 8-module, cognitive-behavioural intervention. Participants self-selected abstinence or moderation drinking goals, initially at Module 3, and weekly during subsequent modules. Alcohol use and alcohol-related problems were measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Quick Drink Screen (QDS), and Short Inventory of Problems (SIP-2R).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial goal choices were 86.9% moderation and 13.1% abstinence. Approximately 20% of participants from each initial choice changed goals during the intervention; last goal choices were 68.6% moderation and 31.4% abstinence. Participants who initially chose moderation reported higher percent heavy drinking days at baseline; participants who initially chose abstinence were more likely to report recent substance abuse treatment and were older. Post-intervention levels of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems were significantly reduced in all goal-choice patterns (i.e., Moderation Only, Abstinence Only, Moderation to Abstinence, and Abstinence to Moderation; all measures p < 0.05 or less). Baseline drinking severity did not differentially relate to outcomes across goal-choice patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants in a Web-based alcohol intervention for returning U.S. Veterans demonstrated improvements in drinking regardless of whether they chose an abstinence or moderation drinking goal, and whether the goal was maintained or changed over the course of the intervention.
authors: Justin L
authors: JL
authors: Enggasser
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Hermos
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Rubin
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Lachowicz
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Rybin
authors: Deborah J
authors: DJ
authors: Brief
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Roy
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Helmuth
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rosenbloom
authors: Terence M
authors: TM
authors: Keane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064829:Alcohol Abstinence; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans