Are drinkers interested in inexpensive approaches to reduce their alcohol use?

This study examined whether adult drinkers would be willing to receive self-help and other minimal contact aids designed to help them drink more moderately. A total of 316 adults eighteen years of age and older residing in two adjacent communities in northwest Arkansas participated in a mail survey. Drinkers most frequently requested newspaper articles on how to drink more moderately (20.7%), followed by television and radio programs (15.5%). Over one-fourth (26.2%) of adult alcohol users reported an interest in receiving one or more of the aids to limit drinking. Heavier drinkers were more likely than lighter drinkers to be interested in television and radio programs, contests and cash awards, and newspaper articles aimed at helping them to drink more moderately (p's less than or equal to .01). Drinkers who were interested in receiving one or more self-help alcohol aids reported higher levels of alcohol consumption, and greater motivation to limit their alcohol use (p's less than or equal to .01). These data suggest that a considerable number of alcohol users would like to receive inexpensive aids to help them to drink more moderately.