Peer- and web-based interventions for risky drinking among US National Guard members: Mission Strong randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aims: To test separatel the efficacy of a web-based and a peer-based brief intervention (BI), compared with an expanded usual care control (EUC) group, among military reserve component members using alcohoI in a hazardous and harmful manner.

Design: In the randomized controlled trial, participants were assigned to: [1] web-based BI with web-based boosters (BI + web), [2] web-based BI with peer-based boosters (BI + peer) or [3] enhanced usual care (EUC).

Setting: Michigan, USA.

Participants: A total of 739 Michigan Army National Guard members who reported recent hazardous alcohol use; 84% were male, the mean age was 28 years.

Intervention: The BI consisted of an interactive program guided by a personally selected avatar. Boosters were delivered either on the web or personally by a trained veteran peer. A pamphlet, given to all participants, included information on hazardous alcohol use and military-specific community resources and served as the EUC condition.

Measurements: The primary outcome measure was binge drinking episodes in the past 30 days, measured at 12 months after the BI.

Findings: All randomized participants were included in the outcome analyses. In adjusted analyses, BI + peer [beta = -0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.56 to -0.31, P < 0.001] and BI + web (beta = -0.34, 95% CI = -0.46 to -0.23, P < 0.001) reduced binge drinking compared with EUC.

Conclusion: This satudy was a web-based brief intervention for hazardous alcohol use, with either web- or peer-based boosters, reduced binge alcohol use among Army National Guard members.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02181283.

Keywords: Alcohol misuse; National Guard; boosters; drinking; military; peers; veterans; web-based intervention.