@article{ref1,
title="Online mutual-help intervention for reducing heavy alcohol use",
journal="Journal of addictive diseases",
year="2020",
author="Haug, Nancy A. and Morimoto, Emily E. and Lembke, Anna",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Online interventions have potential to reach a wide range of people, including heavy drinkers unable or unwilling to seek formal treatment or support groups. This study examined a self-guided alcohol Internet intervention that provides access to several different online social networks and is based on principles of harm reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and relapse prevention. Active participants in the online program (<i>N</i> = 57) completed a survey that retrospectively assessed prior alcohol use, current alcohol use patterns, drinking goals, involvement in online activities, and use of CBT self-help tools. <br><br>FINDINGS indicated significant reductions in drinks per week (DPW), drinks per day (DPD), and drinking days per week (DDW) from baseline to post-intervention. Longer time in the online program was associated with greater reduction in DDW, <i>rs</i>(57) =.31, <i>p</i> =.02; while use of CBT self-help tools was positively correlated with reduction in DPW, <i>rs</i>(57) =.37, <i>p</i> =.005. Engagement in multiple online activities (i.e., social networking, e-mail groups, chat room, forum discussion) was associated with greater drinking reductions in DPW, (<i>F</i>[1,55]) = 8.55, <i>p</i> <.005; and DDW, (<i>F</i>[1,55]) = 7.12, <i>p</i> <.01). <br><br>RESULTS suggest that an online program may assist heavy drinkers in decreasing alcohol use through utilization of a cyber community, social networking, and self-help tools. Conversely, 74% of participants were still engaging in high-risk drinking, raising the possibility that an online mutual-help group with personalized goals intended to reduce harm, may inadvertently normalize heavy alcohol use.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1055-0887",
doi="10.1080/10550887.2020.1747331",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2020.1747331"
}