Read your texts before imbibing.

• Position: Binge Drinking

A text message-based program aimed at reducing binge drinking demonstrates that such an intervention successfully can produce sustained reductions in alcohol consumption in young adults. The the University of Pittsburgh (Pa.) School of Medicine findings revealed that the first-of-its-kind program, designed by lead author Brian Suffoletto, assistant professor of emergency medicine, reduced binge drinking and alcohol-related injuries when compared to a control group and a self-monitoring group. The positive effect continued six months after the program ended.

"Given the low cost to send text messages and the capacity to deliver them to almost every at-risk young adult, a text message-based intervention targeting binge drinking could have a public health impact on reducing both immediate and long-term health problems," says Suffoletto.

The 12-week trial randomized into three groups of 18- to 25-year-olds who were discharged from four urban emergency departments in western Pennsylvania. The control group received standard care and no text messages. The self-monitoring group received text messages on Sundays asking about drinking quantity but received no feedback. The final group received the full program, which consisted of text messages on Thursdays inquiring about weekend drinking plans and promoting a goal commitment to limit drinking, followed by another text on Sunday to inquire about...