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Drinker's Check-up

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Drinker's Check-up (DCU) is a computer-based educational intervention to reduce alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences among problem drinkers. The program is free to use online, and consists of integrated assessment, feedback, and decision-making modules. A Windows program is also available for purchase for use by healthcare providers and treatment programs.

Goal / Mission

Drinker's Check-up is designed to help problem drinkers reduce their alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences.

Impact

Study participants had a significant reduction in alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, symptoms of alcohol dependence, and a decrease in ambivalence about reducing alcohol use.

Results / Accomplishments

In an experimental study of adults 18 and older, participants had a reduction in alcohol use measured in average drinks per day (p<0.01), average drinks per drinking day (p=0.01), and estimated average peak blood alcohol concentration (p<0.05). After 12 months, participants also had a significant reduction in reported alcohol-related consequences (p<0.001), a significant reduction in reported symptoms of alcohol dependence (p<0.001), and a significant decrease in ambivalence about reducing alcohol use (p<0.001).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Behavior Therapy Associates, LLC
Primary Contact
Reid K. Hester, Ph.D.
Behavior Therapy Associates LLC
9426 Indian School Rd NE Ste 1
Albuquerque, NM 87112
(505) 345-6100
http://www.behaviortherapy.com/
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Organization(s)
Behavior Therapy Associates, LLC
Source
SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
Date of publication
2008
Date of implementation
2008
Location
Albuquerque, NM
For more details
http://www.drinkerscheckup.com/
http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/ProgramProfile.aspx?id=91
Target Audience
Adults

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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