Table 1.
Original text message content
| Message number | Week of programme | Day of programme | Text message | Brief Intervention element | Behaviour change techniques |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | Thanks 4 joining the study. Txt messages will be coming 2 your mobile over the next 4 weeks. Call xxx free if you have any study-related problems | ||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | The survey showed your alcohol drinking is hazardous compared with other people. We recommend you think about cutting down | Feedback about screening results; recommendation | Feedback; comparison/discrepancy |
| 3 | 1 | 4 | For females: | Information on drinking limits | Information |
| Recommended drinking limit for females = max 2 drinks/day and max 10 drinks/week. 1 drink = 100mls wine or 330mls beer or 30mls spirits or half a premix (RTD) | |||||
| For males: | |||||
| Recommended drinking limit for males = max 3 drinks/day and max 15 drinks/week. 1 drink = 100mls wine or 330mls beer or 30mls spirits or half a premix (RTD) | |||||
| 4 | 1 | 6 | Alcohol can cause injuries, diseases like cancer, depression, weight gain…plus hangovers are awful! Make a list of the pros and cons of drinking too much alcohol | Information on hazards of drinking; encourage/motivate RTC | Information on consequences; Persuasive communication; motivators for change; pros and cons |
| 5 | 2 | 8 | Would you be willing to make changes to reduce your drinking? If your answer is 'Yes', txt 1 to yyy. If your answer is 'No', txt 2 to zzz | Assess RTC | Assessment; Support/encourage change; Prompt intention formation |
| If answer ‘Yes’ to Message ID 5: | |||||
| 6 | 2 | 10 | Great news that you are willing to reduce your alcohol use! Keep your reasons in mind. We would like to help and will txt you tips and advice | Encourage/motivate RTC | Support/encouragement |
| 7 | 2 | 11 | For females: | ||
| Consider setting a goal to reduce drinking to within safe limits: max 2 drinks/day, max 10 drinks/week. (1 drink = 100 ml wine or 330 ml beer or 30 ml spirits) | Advice based on RTC 'Yes': Goal | Goal-setting | |||
| For males: | |||||
| Consider setting a goal to reduce drinking to within safe limits: max 3 drinks/day, max 15 drinks/week. (1 drink = 100 ml wine or 330 ml beer or 30 ml spirits) | |||||
| 8 | 3 | 15 | Plan ahead 4 cutting down your alcohol use. Consider setting some drinking rules for yourself. See easeuponthedrink.org.nz for more info | Advice based on RTC 'Yes': Plan | Planning; Coping strategies; prompt self-monitoring |
| 9 | 3 | 17 | Consider sharing your goal and plan with friends and family. They can provide support and might want to join in and reduce their alcohol drinking too | Advice based on RTC 'Yes': Strategies/tips | Coping strategies; Support/encouragement |
| 10 | 3 | 19 | Ideas for helping you cut down: consider planning alc-free days, measure and track drinks, alternate alc and non-alc drinks, avoid risky circumstances | Advice based on RTC 'Yes': Strategies/tips | Coping strategies; Support/encouragement |
| 11 | 4 | 22 | Reward yourself 4 your successes. Learn from slip-ups but don't dwell on them. Don't give up on your goal to reduce drinking! | Advice based on RTC 'Yes': further support | Support/encouragement; review of goal; self-reward; relapse prevention |
| 12 | 4 | 24 | You can get more free and confidential support from Alcohol Helpline 0800 787 797, or by contacting your family doctor | Follow-up | Information; Support/encouragement |
| 13 | 4 | 27 | Thanks for taking part in the study. We will txt u in 2 months to see how u r going. | ||
| If answer ‘No’ to Message ID 5: | |||||
| 14 | 2 | 10 | Thanks 4 your reply. Drinking alcohol is your choice. Txts to follow about ways to minimise harm from alcohol | Advice based on RTC 'No' | Support; Coping strategies |
| 15 | 2 | 11 | Reduce your risk of injury on a single occasion of drinking by setting a limit of no more than 4 standard drinks. (1 drink = 100 ml wine or 330 ml beer or 30 ml spirits) | Advice based on RTC 'No' | Information; Coping strategies |
| 16 | 3 | 15 | Consider planning alc-free days, pacing yourself when drinking, alternating alc and non-alc drinks, taking smaller sips, eating before or while u r drinking | Advice based on RTC 'No' | Coping Strategies, Planning |
| 17 | 3 | 17 | Drinking too much alcohol can cause problems for you, your family, your friends. See easeuponthedrink.org.nz for easing up tips | Advice based on RTC 'No' | Information; Support/encouragement |
| 18 | 3 | 19 | Plan ahead so you get home safely. Arrange a designated driver. Put some cash aside and share a taxi. If you have to walk home, go with a friend | Advice based on RTC 'No' | Coping Strategies, Planning |
| 19 | 4 | 22 | We encourage you to think about your drinking. You may have bad experiences, regrets, worries. One day you may decide u want to make a change | Advice based on RTC 'No' | Support/encouragement; Prompt intention formation |
| 12 | 4 | 24 | You can get more free and confidential support from Alcohol Helpline 0800 787 797, or by contacting your family doctor | Follow-up | Information; Support/encouragement |
| 13 | 4 | 27 | Thanks for taking part in the study. We will txt u in 2 months to see how u r going. | ||
RTC = Readiness to Change
Since the time of the study, theurl easeuponthedrink.org.nz has changed to http://www.alcohol.org.nz/help-advice/ease-up-on-the-drink