An Alcohol Screening Website Attracts Hazardous Drinkers

AlcoholScreening.org
is a widely promoted, anonymous, and free online service that offers
visitors a self-screening of their drinking behaviors, individualized
feedback, and, when appropriate, information about treatment. In
a study evaluating the use of the site, researchers found the following:

• In
  a 14-month span, the site recorded over 66,000 visitors. Nearly
  40,000 visitors over age 18 completed the screening about their
  own drinking habits.
• Almost
  all visitors who completed the screening (90%) were drinking
  hazardous amounts (determined by the Alcohol Use Disorders
  Identification Test [AUDIT] and 2 additional quantity and frequency
  questions; defined as >14 standard drinks per week or >4
  drinks per occasion for men, and >7 drinks per week or >3
  drinks per occasion for women).
• Most
  (65%) had possible alcohol abuse or dependence (AUDIT score
  of >=8).
• Similar
  proportions of men and women were drinking hazardous amounts.
• After
  receiving their results, 19% chose the “Learn More”
  or “Get Help” options on the site. Visitors with more
  severe alcohol problems were more likely to choose these options.

Comments:

A
highly promoted website offering alcohol screening and
feedback reported many visits, especially by those drinking hazardous
amounts or with possible alcohol abuse or dependence. Further, nearly
one-fifth of visitors with alcohol use problems sought more information
or help from the site. The success of AlcoholScreening.org suggests
that such websites are an efficient and perhaps relatively inexpensive
means (at least compared with individual health provider interviews)
for targeting hazardous drinkers.

Joseph Conigliaro, MD, MPH

Reference:

Saitz R, Helmuth ED, Aromaa SF, et al. Web-based screening and brief intervention for the spectrum of alcohol problems. Prev Med. 2004;39(5):969–975.