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Using technical innovations in clinical practice: The Drinker's Check‐Up software program
Author(s) -
Squires Daniel D.,
Hester Reid K.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.10242
Subject(s) - psychology , software , clinical psychology , software engineering , applied psychology , computer science , programming language
Interest in assessing and treating a variety of psychological conditions with software programs is increasing rapidly. This article reviews a software program for problem drinkers entitled the Drinker's Check‐Up (DCU) and illustrates its use with three patients. The DCU is based on the principles of brief motivational interventions and can be used as a stand‐alone intervention by therapists without expertise in substance abuse or as a prelude to alcohol treatment services. It is the first software program to provide integrated assessment, feedback, and assistance with decision making for individuals experiencing problems with alcohol. Preliminary data from an ongoing clinical trial of the DCU as a stand‐alone intervention indicate that it is an effective intervention for a wide range of problem drinkers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session.