A smartphone app for reducing alcohol use with Joshua GarfieldA smartphone app for reducing alcohol use with Joshua Garfield
Addiction Audio
Dr Joshua Garfield discusses a smartphone app designed to help reduce alcohol use through 'approach bias modification.' Long-term results show promise.
15:55•21 Nov 2025
Can an App Change Drinking Habits? Insights from Dr Joshua Garfield
Episode Overview
- The app uses 'approach bias modification' to help reduce alcohol consumption.
- Users personalise their experience by selecting relevant images.
- Long-term impact shows promising reduction in drinking habits after 16 weeks.
- Feedback was generally positive, especially from engaged users.
- Challenges exist in recruiting participants for outpatient settings.
“"People felt that using the app was quite in line with their outpatient treatment and motivations."”
Curious about how technology can aid in alcohol recovery? Dr Joshua Garfield's chat with Dr Tsen Vei Lim is just the ticket. They dive into the nitty-gritty of a smartphone app designed to help those grappling with alcohol use disorders. This isn't your average app—it employs 'approach bias modification,' a technique aimed at retraining the brain's impulses.
Joshua explains how users personalise their experience by selecting images that represent both temptations and positive alternatives, giving them a tailored approach to tackling their drinking habits. The app's efficacy was tested through a randomised control trial, revealing intriguing findings about its long-term impact on reducing alcohol consumption. While the initial results were mixed, participants showed promising improvements after 16 weeks. Feedback from users was generally positive, especially from those who engaged more deeply with the app.
The episode doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges of recruiting participants and implementing such interventions in outpatient settings. If you're keen on learning how innovative tech is shaping addiction treatment, this episode is a must-listen. Could this app be the future of alcohol recovery? Dive in to find out!
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