Northwell Health Zucker Hillside Hospital Glen Oaks, New York
Purpose. Digital therapeutics are becoming increasingly popular among individuals seeking to reduce alcohol use. However, few studies exist evaluating these products’ impact on drinking reduction. In this study, we investigated drinking outcomes for individuals enrolled in Bottle Cap, a digital product offering alcohol use interventions. Methods. One hundred ninety-nine adults (M=46.2 years, SD=13.0) seeking treatment for alcohol use voluntarily participated in a 2-month intervention. Individuals self-selected between two programs: Messaging (n=119) in which they received daily, automated supportive text messages; or Coaching plus Messaging (n=80) in which they received daily text messages plus weekly virtual MBSCT. The average number of standard drinks consumed per drinking day (DDD) was collected at baseline and continuously throughout treatment. Between-participants ANOVA assessed the relationship between DDD severity and sex, as well as program type (coaching vs. messaging only). Mixed repeated measures ANOVA assessed the main effect of these variables and time (baseline vs. Week 4 vs. Week 8 DDD scores) interactions in 85 participants with follow-up data. Results. Those who selected coaching, versus messaging only, had greater DDD severity (p < 0.05), which was no longer significant at follow up (Week 4 or Week 8) (p’s>0.05). There was a main effect of time, whereby participants’ DDD scores decreased significantly throughout treatment. Sex and program type were not related to this improvement (p’s>0.05). Conclusion. These findings support the utility of digital interventions for alcohol moderation, suggesting that text messages themselves may have a robust effect in reducing drinking behavior.