A review of computer-based alcohol problem services designed for the general public.

This review summarizes the literature on computer-based drinking assessment and intervention programs evaluated using members of the general public. The primary aim was to summarize the demand, usage, and effectiveness of these services. A systematic search of the literature identified seven online drinking assessments and eight computerized interventions that were evaluated using members of the general public. Internet assessment users tend to be in their early 30s, are more often male, tend to be at risk for or are experiencing alcohol-related problems, more fully explore assessment sites, and are more likely to enroll in interventions linked to these sites when their drinking problem is more severe. Although dropout from computer-based interventions is often very high and treatment models vary widely, program completers appear to show improvements.