Digital psychological self-care for risky drinking

Risky alcohol consumption is a major public health concern, but only a minority of risky drinkers are turning to health care for help.

Internet-based treatment is a promising alternative, but it has been suggested that internet interventions need regular therapist guidance to be optimally effective.

Digital psychological self-care is a new form of self-guided care, where an intervention without therapist guidance is given within a structured care process.

The aim is to achieve the same treatment compliance and effects as seen in therapist-guided interventions, but with less therapist-time.

A technical solution for psychological self-care is being developed in a current project at Region Stockholm and Karolinska Institutet.

The proposed project in this application would expand the project to include a digital intervention for risky alcohol consumption in adults, to be used on the technical platform.

In a first phase during 2021, the proposed project will explore the safety, usability,  treatment credibility and preliminary effects of the intervention, in a small uncontrolled feasibility study, together with the routine addiction care services in Stockholm.

Later during 2021-2022, a larger randomized study will examine effects and cost-effectiveness, compared to treatment as usual in routine care.