Evaluation of an Online Tool to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in Australians Aged 40 to 64

Background and Aims: Excessive alcohol use among midlife Australian adults remains a significant public health concern, particularly as drinking in this age group commonly exceeds national low-risk guidelines and is embedded within routine home-based practices. This study evaluated the preliminary efficacy and implementation outcomes of a brief, digitally delivered intervention grounded in the volitional phase of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The intervention targeted self-regulatory processes, specifically self-monitoring and implementation intentions, to support adults aged 40–64 in reducing their alcohol consumption. Methods: In a double-blind randomised controlled design, 168 participants were allocated to either a HAPA-based intervention or an education-only control and completed alcohol consumption assessments at baseline, 1-week, and 4-weeks. Results: Mixed-model ANOVAs showed significant Time × Condition interactions for both past-week alcohol use (Timeline Follow-Back) and typical weekly consumption (Daily Drinking Questionnaire). Participants in the intervention group reported meaningful reductions at 4 weeks, with consumption falling to within national guideline levels, whereas no changes emerged in the control group. Implementation outcomes indicated moderate-to-high acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Conclusion: These findings suggest that brief, scalable, self-regulation strategies delivered online can help midlife adults to make measurable reductions in alcohol use, providing a promising and accessible approach for an underserved yet at-risk population.