Targeting individuals with problematic alcohol use via Web-based cognitive-behavioral self-help modules, personalized...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Behavioral science
• Public health

Background:

• Problematic alcohol use is widespread, with many individuals not seeking professional help.
• Web-based interventions may address unmet needs for support in reducing alcohol consumption.
• Internet help seekers with hazardous alcohol use are a target population for digital interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of two Web-based interventions against a control group for individuals with problematic alcohol use.
• To evaluate the impact of an extended self-help program versus a brief screening and feedback intervention.
• To assess long-term changes in alcohol use over 12 months.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 633 Internet help seekers with hazardous alcohol use.
• Comparison of an extended self-help program, a brief intervention, and an assessment-only control group.
• Assessment of alcohol use using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) at baseline and 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• All groups demonstrated reductions in alcohol use at 3-month follow-up, with sustained effects at 12 months (intention-to-treat analysis).
• Per-protocol analysis indicated that ~75% of participants in the extended self-help group (combined with outside interventions) reduced problematic alcohol use compared to 40-60% in other groups.
• The extended self-help intervention showed greater efficacy when participants engaged with additional support.

Conclusions:

• While intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference between interventions, per-protocol analysis suggests benefits.
• Extended self-help cognitive-behavioral interventions, when combined with other supports, appear more effective for reducing problematic alcohol use.
• Web-based interventions offer a viable approach to support individuals with alcohol use concerns.