Ultra-brief Intervention for Problem Drinkers

The major objective of this proposal is to conduct a randomized controlled trial of an ultra-brief, personalized feedback intervention (a pamphlet) for problem drinkers. Subjects will be recruited via a telephone survey which will collect baseline data. The households of half of the subjects will receive the pamphlet as unaddressed ad mail shortly thereafter. Follow-up interviews will be conducted, by telephone, three and six months after the mailing of the pamphlets. Hypothesis 1: Respondents from households who receive the pamphlet will display significantly improved drinking outcomes at the three-month and six-month follow-ups as compared to respondents from households in the no intervention control condition. Hypothesis 2: More calls will be received on a help-line listed on the pamphlet (and advertised elsewhere) from residents of households who receive the pamphlet as compared to residents from households who do not receive the pamphlet. Hypotheses 3 - 6 deal with mediator and moderator hypotheses, exploring the role of perceived risk, perceived drinking norms, and drinking for social reasons.