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Table 1 Original text message content

From: Development of a text message intervention aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in patients admitted to hospital as a result of injury

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.

  
  1. RTC = Readiness to Change
  2. 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