Web-Based Screening and Brief Intervention for Hazardous Drinking: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

• NCJ Number: 207767
• Journal: Addiction Volume: 99 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2004 Pages: 1410-1417
• Author(s): Kypros Kypri; John B. Saunders; Sheila M. Williams; Rob O. McGee; John D. Langley; Martine L. Cashell-Smith; Stephen J. Gallagher
• Date Published: November 2004
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Web-based screening and brief intervention (e-SBI) in reducing hazardous drinking behavior.

Abstract

Previous research has established the effectiveness of using screening and brief intervention (SBI) to identify and help individuals reduce hazardous drinking behavior. Despite its effectiveness, SBI is not used routinely in primary health settings in any country. As such, e-SBI was developed to make the delivery of SBI more routine and efficient. The current study assessed the effectiveness of e-SBI in reducing hazardous drinking through the use of a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants were 167 students who completed a 3-minute Web-based screen that included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Students who screened positive for hazardous drinking (N=104) were assigned randomly to either a control group or the intervention group. Following the intervention, participants completed a 6-week and a 6-month follow-up survey that measured frequency of drinking; typical occasion quantity; total volume; frequency of very heavy episodes; personal, social, sexual, and legal consequences of episodic heavy drinking; and consequences related to academic performance. Results indicated that students who received the intervention reported significantly lower alcohol consumption partners during the 6-week follow-up period, as well as lower heavy episode frequency, and fewer personal problems. At the 6-month follow-up, significant reductions remained in personal problems and academic problems, although alcohol consumption patterns did not differ significantly between the control and intervention groups. The findings suggest that e-SBI produces reductions in hazardous drinking similar to reductions produced by practitioner-delivered SBI. Future research should focus on replicating these findings and exploring the duration of intervention effects. Tables, figure, references