Mailed feedback reduces consumption among moderate drinkers who are employed

To test the efficacy of mailed feedback for drinking reduction among employees of a manufacturing firm, 48 drinkers were recruited and alternately assigned to receive mailed feedback on their drinking either immediately or after an 8-week waiting period. Using a delayed treatment design, participants were assessed by mail at baseline, 8, and 16 weeks. After viewing their feedback, participants indicated a higher level of importance of making a change, but not confidence in their ability. There were also significant decreases in consumption after receiving the feedback, and these changes were mediated by participants' increased perceptions regarding the "riskiness" of alcohol consumption. An additional 26 nondrinkers at baseline volunteered to participate and also were mailed feedback. Among this group, receipt of feedback indicating a very low level of risk did not lead to increased drinking. This cost-effective intervention appears to reduce consumption among light-to-moderate drinkers, and may warrant a larger place in the framework of workplace alcohol reduction programs.