Behavioral Self-Control Program for Windows: results of a controlled clinical trial

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Heavy alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern.
• Behavioral interventions show promise for managing alcohol use.
• Computer-based delivery offers accessible treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a computer-based behavioral self-control training program for nonalcoholic heavy drinkers.
• To compare immediate versus delayed intervention delivery.
• To assess long-term maintenance of treatment gains.

Main Methods:

• Forty nonalcoholic heavy drinkers were randomized into immediate or delayed treatment groups.
• A computer-based behavioral self-control training program was administered.
• Drinking behavior was assessed at pretreatment and at 10 weeks, and 12 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• The immediate treatment group showed significant drinking reductions at 10 weeks compared to the delayed group.
• The delayed group also demonstrated significant reductions after receiving the training.
• Treatment gains were maintained at the 12-month follow-up.
• No significant differences were found based on ethnicity or gender.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based behavioral self-control training is an effective intervention for reducing heavy alcohol consumption.
• Immediate delivery of the intervention yields quicker results.
• The positive effects of the training are sustained over at least 12 months.