Peer- and web-based interventions for risky drinking among US National Guard members: Mission Strong randomized controlled trial.

Blow FC, Walton M, Ilgen M, Ignacio RV, Walters H, Massey L, Barry KL, McCormick R, Coughlin LN. Peer- and web-based interventions for risky drinking among US National Guard members: Mission Strong randomized controlled trial. Addiction (Abingdon, England). 2023 Jul 1; 118(7):1246-1257.

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• RCS 19-333 – Research Career Scientist Award

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Abstract:

AIMS: To test separatel the efficacy of a web-based and a peer-based brief intervention (BI), compared with an expanded usual care control (EUC) group, among military reserve component members using alcohoI in a hazardous and harmful manner. DESIGN: In the randomized controlled trial, participants were assigned to: [1] web-based BI with web-based boosters (BI?+?web), [2] web-based BI with peer-based boosters (BI?+?peer) or [3] enhanced usual care (EUC). SETTING: Michigan, USA. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 739 Michigan Army National Guard members who reported recent hazardous alcohol use; 84% were male, the mean age was 28?years. INTERVENTION: The BI consisted of an interactive program guided by a personally selected avatar. Boosters were delivered either on the web or personally by a trained veteran peer. A pamphlet, given to all participants, included information on hazardous alcohol use and military-specific community resources and served as the EUC condition. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measure was binge drinking episodes in the past 30?days, measured at 12?months after the BI. FINDINGS: All randomized participants were included in the outcome analyses. In adjusted analyses, BI?+?peer [beta? = -0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI)? = -0.56 to -0.31, P? < 0.001] and BI?+?web (beta? = -0.34, 95% CI? = -0.46 to -0.23, P? < 0.001) reduced binge drinking compared with EUC. CONCLUSION: This satudy was a web-based brief intervention for hazardous alcohol use, with either web- or peer-based boosters, reduced binge alcohol use among Army National Guard members.