Longer-term changes in drinking behaviour after an alcohol abstinence challenge: a longitudinal study.

AIMS: In the past years, temporary alcohol abstinence challenges (TACs) are rising in popularity. Participation may lead to changes in drinking behaviour in the short- and longer-term. To evaluate the short- and longer-term changes in drinking behaviour after participating in NoThanks (Dutch TAC), this study aimed to examine changes in drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE), behavioural automaticity, craving, and alcohol consumption. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, data were used from 2,128 participants in NoThanks 2023. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire, a direct follow-up, and after 6 and 12 months. Linear mixed models analysis was used. RESULTS: Significant increases after six and twelve months were found in self-efficacy, and significant decreases in behavioural automaticity, while an increase in behavioural automaticity was found directly after the challenge. After twelve months, both craving and alcohol consumption had decreased. Changes in self-efficacy and alcohol consumption were significantly larger for participants who successfully completed the TAC. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that participation in a TAC is associated with short- and longer-term changes in drinking behaviour, with successful completion leading to even larger changes in self-efficacy and alcohol consumption. Participating in a TAC might therefore be a low-intensity, accessible way to take a first step into changing drinking behaviour.