Internet-based self-assessment of drinking—3-month follow-up data

This study aims to make an initial evaluation of an Internet-based self-assessment tool for Finnish drinkers (http://www.paihdelinkki.fi/testaa/juomatapatesti) and its effects on their use of alcohol. The subjects (n = 343) were recruited from among the 1598 anonymous respondents to the survey on this self-assessment service. The subjects' baseline data were first compared to those of a random sample of the users of this Internet service during the same period. Their responses to the survey were then analyzed. Finally, their drinking and drinking-related problems at the baseline and 3 months later were compared. The study participants were heavier drinkers than the average users of this Internet service. More than nine out of ten were satisfied with the service. The response rate to the follow-up was 78%. There were highly significant reductions (p = .000) in all the outcome measures. The service appealed more to women than men, but there were no sex differences in drinking-related outcomes. The results supported the further development of this model to a randomized controlled trial.