Our program is clinically validated through a series of NIH- and NIAAA-funded randomized controlled trials that tested its core components—such as the Drinker’s Check-Up and moderation training—across various populations, including problem drinkers, college students, and military personnel. These studies consistently found significant reductions (often around 50%) in alcohol consumption, heavy drinking episodes, and alcohol-related problems, with effects lasting up to 12 months. Our program’s strengths include its evidence-based structure, long-term follow-up, and usability as a self-help or early intervention tool. Today, our digital platform combines these evidence-based tools to support healthier lives.
Dr. Hester has published over 60 journal articles on the topic of substance misuse and digital interventions including in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. A leader in his field, Dr. Hester’s opinions, online resources and research have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Vogue, and Men’s Health among others Dr. Hester received his masters and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Washington State University in 1979.
Our CheckUp module is based on the 12-month outcomes of a controlled clinical trial of a stand-alone software program for problem drinkers.
Sixty-one problem drinkers were randomly assigned to either immediate treatment or a 4-week wait-list control group. Treatment consisted of a computer-based brief motivational intervention, the Drinker’s Check-up (DCU). Outcomes strongly support the experimental hypotheses and long-term effectiveness of the treatment. Overall, participants reduced the quantity and frequency of drinking by 50%, and had similar reductions in alcohol-related problems that were sustained through 12-month follow-up. The DCU seems to be effective in enhancing problem drinkers’ motivation for change.
Our Moderation module is based on outcomes of a randomized clinical trial with non-dependent problem drinkers
We randomly assigned 80 problem drinkers to either the experimental or control group with follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months. To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based protocol, Moderate Drinking (MD) (www.moderatedrinking.com) combined with use of the online resources of Moderation Management (MM) (www.moderation.org) as opposed to the use of the online resources of MM alone. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had better outcomes on percent days abstinent (PDA). There was an interaction between intensity of drinking at baseline and treatment in determining outcomes assessing drinking. Less heavy drinkers in the experimental group had better outcomes on log Mean BAC per drinking day compared to the control group. Heavier drinkers did not differentially benefit from the MD program on this measure. Mixed model analyses in general corroborated these outcomes.
Our Abstinence module is based on a Web-Based Application, and SMART Recovery, an Online and In-Person Mutual Help Group for Problem Drinkers
Overcoming Addictions (OA) is an abstinence-oriented, cognitive behavioral, Web application based on the program of SMART Recovery. To evaluate the effectiveness of OA and SMART Recovery (SR) with problem drinkers who were new to SMART Recovery. Our experimental hypotheses were: (1) all groups will reduce their drinking and alcohol/drug-related consequences at follow-up compared to their baseline levels, (2) the OA condition will reduce their drinking and alcohol/drug-related consequences more than the control group (SR), and (3) the OA+SR condition will reduce their drinking and alcohol/drug-related consequences more than the control group (SR only). All groups significantly increased their percent days abstinent (PDA) and decreased both their mean drinks per drinking day (DDD) and their alcohol-related problems, which indicates that both interventions being investigated were equally effective in helping people recover from their problem drinking.
Our current digital program includes all of the modules addressed above to help those who are seeking help with substance misuse or just seeking a healthier and happier lifestyle.