Alcohol & Alcoholism Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 29-32, 2004
© Medical Council on Alcohol 2004; all rights reserved
DOWN YOUR DRINK: A WEB-BASED INTERVENTION FOR PEOPLE WITH EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust and 2 Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Clinical Psychology, Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Charterhouse Building, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London N19 5LW, UK. E-mail: stuart.linke{at}candi.nhs.uk
(Received 14 July 2003; first review notified 5 August 2003; in revised form 15 September 2003; accepted 23 September 2003)
Aims: To conduct a pilot study of the usefulness of Down Your Drink (DYD), a web-based intervention to encourage excessive drinkers to adopt a healthy pattern of drinking and reduce alcohol-associated harm. The DYD website was structured as a 6-week programme, derived from a manual which included elements of motivational approaches and cognitive behavioural therapy. Methods: Visitors whose responses to the Fast Alcohol Screening Test were positive, and those indicating excessive alcohol consumption, were encouraged to register. Users completed alcohol dependence and mental health questionnaires before the programme, and a drinking diary at each of the weekly sessions. Follow-up questionnaires were sent electronically to those who completed the programme, or who missed three or more sessions. Results: During the 6-month study there were 7581 visits to the site and 1319 registrations. Of the registrants, 61.8% completed week 1, and 6.0% stayed with the programme until the end. The 6% who stayed for 6 weeks provided encouraging feedback about the value of the site. Little information was obtained from those who dropped out, but some reported that the programme was too time-consuming. Conclusions: Web site interventions for excessive drinkers are feasible and merit evaluation of their effectiveness.
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