Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2025

A Prediction Error-driven Retrieval Procedure for Destabilizing and Rewriting Maladaptive Reward Memories in Hazardous Drinkers
Published on: January 5, 2018
A Novel Just-in-Time Intervention for Promoting Safer Drinking Among College Students: App Testing Across 2
Philip I Chow1, Jessica Smith1, Ravjot Saini2
1School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 560 Ray C Hunt Dr, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States, 1 434-924-8082.
Background:
Binge drinking, which is linked to various immediate and long-term negative outcomes, is highly prevalent among US college students. Behavioral interventions delivered via mobile phones have a strong potential to help decrease the hazardous effects of binge drinking by promoting safer drinking behaviors.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of bhoos, a novel smartphone app designed to promote safer drinking behaviors among US college students. The app offers on-demand educational content about safer alcohol use, provides dynamic feedback as users log their alcohol consumption, and includes an interactive drink tracker that estimates blood alcohol content in real time.
Methods:
The bhoos app was tested in 2 independent pre-post studies each lasting 4 weeks, among US college students aged 18-35 years. The primary outcome in both trials was students' self-reported confidence in using protective behavioral strategies related to drinking, with self-reported frequency of alcohol consumption over the past month examined as a secondary outcome.
Results:
In study 1, bhoos was associated with increased confidence in using protective behavioral strategies. Students also endorsed the high usability of the app and reported acceptable levels of engagement. Study 2 replicated findings of increased confidence in using protective behavioral strategies, and demonstrated a reduction in the self-reported frequency of alcohol consumption.
Conclusions:
Bhoos is a personalized, accessible, and highly scalable digital intervention with a strong potential to effectively address alcohol-related behaviors on college campuses.
More Related Videos
07:31Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
Published on: January 7, 2019
05:40The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans
Published on: April 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Dissonance
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV