A Web Application to Reduce Heavy Drinking in First-time DWI Offenders

A Web Application to Reduce Heavy Drinking in First-time DWI Offenders

The overall objective of this project is to develop, evaluate, and disseminate a web application for first-time DWI offenders that will provide them with an age-appropriate brief motivational intervention (BMI) to motivate them to reduce their drinking and a cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) for to help them achieve and maintain abstinence. The goal is to reduce heavy drinking and consequently the risk for future drunk driving.

The specific objectives of this Phase II are:

• Completing the development of the Right Turns prototype based on feedback from the Phase I pilot study participants. This includes: providing more structure and guidance as participants work in the Tool Box section of the program; simplifying the content of the Tool Box; further R&D in the text messaging feature for 2nd and 3rd tier cellular providers; implement a customized pdf report function for progress reports from the program to users' probation officers (under control of the user); developing a follow-up component and outcome reports; and revising the videos in the Tool Box to reflect greater diversity and a younger population of drinkers.
• Conducting a randomized clinical trial of the program with first time DWI/DUI offenders who are recruited locally, collecting follow-up data, analyzing the data, and reporting the results.

Inclusion Criteria:

• be a first-time DWI offender
• have a 5th grade reading level
• has a computer with Internet access at home
• own a cell phone with text messaging

Exclusion Criteria:

• age less than 18
• recent history of uncontrolled psychotic or bipolar behavior
• evidence of significant cognitive impairment from brain dysfunction (e.g., head injury)