We've developed several software programs for individuals who are wondering whether they should change their drinking, for drinkers who want to moderate their drinking, for therapists working with clients with alcohol problems, and for trainers who work with other counselors and therapists. Here's our current offerings. We're also in the process of developing additional software you might find useful. Stay tuned.
The Drinker's Check-up (DCU)
The DCU is a brief motivational intervention for heavy drinkers who are ambivalent about whether or not to change their drinking. It's available as a Windows program for therapists who work with these individuals and as a web application for drinkers to use themselves.
The Windows version of the DCU also has a follow-up component, the Follow-up Drinker's Check-up (FDCU). The FDCU allows therapists to collect follow-up data at up to three different follow-ups. Outcome data collection is automated and therapists also can create detailed outcome reports for individual clients, for their entire sample of clients, and for specific sub-groups of clients. Essentially it could be used for program evaluation.
We have completed a randomized clinical trial of the Windows version of the DCU and 2005 paper reporting the outcomes in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment is availabe by request. Participants in the clinical trial reduced their drinking, alcohol-related problems, and symptoms of dependence by 50%, on average, from baseline to the 12 month follow-up.
Behavioral Self-Control Program for Windows
Note: The research project that produced the BSCPWIN software has won a Tibbetts award for excellence in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) research.
Note: This is our most recent upgraded version for individuals who want to work on their own.
Overview of our BSCPWIN programs
This interactive software program teaches the user how to moderate his or her drinking. It consists of 8 training sessions which follow the Miller & Muņoz protocol in How to control your drinking. The original program (Version 3.0) was designed to be used under the minimal supervision of a therapist. However, we also developed a free standing, single user's version of the software that therapists can provide to their clients. In this case, the client can bring in a data disk with his or her self-monitoring data on it for the therapist to review. Alternatively, the user can work on the program by him or herself, without the supervision of a therapist.
In ther Therapist's version, the therapist enters information about the client’s pretreatment level of drinking and alcohol-related problems which the program uses to interact with the client. The program also gives individualized feedback to the user based on his or her self-monitoring data and responses.
Both versions of the program:
are based on the most current data on moderate drinking and harm reduction;
give the user individualized feedback relative to his or her goals and self-monitoring data;
and provide an individualized BAC chart, written contracts based on the user's goals, and other written materials.
Results of our controlled clinical trial provide strong support of its effectiveness (Hester & Delaney, 1997, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology). You can also peruse our Final Report to NIAAA on this project.
If you're wondering whether or not you, as an individual, should moderate your drinking, surf on over to an article on the Self-Help and Psychology Magazine site and take a simple quiz.
If you're looking for a therapist to work with to learn moderate drinking skills check out our list of moderation trainers.
Behavioral Self-Control Program for Windows (BSCPWIN), Therapist's Version
In Version 2000 we've upgraded the program with the following enhancements:
- Greater ease of entering self-monitoring data. BSCPWIN now automatically calculates the Standard Drink units (also known as SECs);
- the ability to enter drinking data in ounces (the U.S. standard) or milliliters (the rest of the world);
- the choice of whether the user's weight is in pounds or kilograms; and
- the option to use non-U.S. date formats (e.g., DD-MM-YY).
If you're running Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP this is our most recent version for you. The only limitation is that this version has not been tested in a controlled clinical trial. As with Version 3.0, when you purchase a copy of the Therapist Version you also receive a copy of the Single User's Version for use with your clients
Behavioral Self-Control Program for Windows (BSCPWIN), Single User's Version
The Single User's Version is available for individuals who would like to work on moderating their drinking on their own without the help of a therapist.
Help Moderation Management and yourself at the same time! If, when you order, you mention that you are a member of Moderation Management, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Moderation Management.
Motivational Interviewing Presentation for Trainers
This is a slide show presentation developed in Power Point. It is designed to be used by individuals who train counselors and therapists in Motivational Interviewing skills.
To order any of these programs or materials, surf on over to our Order Form page