Table 2.

Example virtual coach language consistent with transtheoretical model stage of change.

	Precontemplation	Contemplation	Action
Virtual Coach: ‘Do you think that you might drink tomorrow?’ Response: Yes	‘Thanks for sharing that information. In order to make smarter and safer choices around alcohol use if you choose to drink, planning ahead can be very important. If you do choose to drink tomorrow, you can consider using at least one of the harm reduction strategies that you’ve already selected and make plans to follow through. For example, if one of your strategies was to use a designated driver to get home after drinking, you might talk to a friend ahead of time about being your designated driver or make sure that you have the number of a taxi or other safe ride programed in your phone.	‘Thanks for sharing that information. As you continue thinking about making safer choices about your drinking if you choose to drink, you can make plans to use two or more of the harm reduction strategies that you’ve already selected. So for example, if one of your strategies was to use a designated driver to get home after drinking, you could talk to a friend ahead of time about being your designated driver or make sure that you have the number of a taxi or other safe ride programed in your phone.	‘Thanks for sharing that information. As you continue to take actions to help make safer choices around drinking, you can make definite plans to use all of the harm reduction strategies that you’ve already selected. So for example, if one of your strategies was to use a designated driver to get home after drinking, you could talk to a friend ahead of time about being your designated driver or make sure that you have the number of a taxi or other safe ride programed in your phone.
	Good luck and I’ll check back with you tomorrow to see how it went if you drank!’	Good luck and I’ll check back with you tomorrow to see how it went if you drank!’	Good luck and I’ll check back with you tomorrow to see how it went if you drank!’