Dulin, P.L., Gonzalez, V.M., & Campbell, K. (2014). Results of a pilot test of a self-administered smartphone-based treatment system for alcohol use disorders: Usability and early outcomes. Substance Abuse, 35(2), 168-175. PMCID: PMC4019942.
In this pilot study, the authors test the Location-Based Monitoring and Intervention System for Alcohol Use Disorders (LBMI-A), a program developed to provide alcohol treatment by smartphone. Twenty-eight individuals with alcohol dependence were given access to the program for 6-weeks. Because the program was not available in a smartphone application, participants were given smartphones with the program. Alcohol use and satisfaction with the program with the program were assessed pre- and post-assessment. After using LBMI-A for 6 weeks, the average number of drinks per day decreased from 5.6 to 2.9. The percent of heavy drinking days also decreased significantly. Participants felt the program was moderately easy to use, but had problems using a high risk location tool, which alerted participants when they neared a location usually associated with drinking. Additionally, participants wished the program was available for download on their personal smartphones, and cited this as a barrier to usage.