New App Helps Combat Drinking Problems

The 28 people who tested the app reported a 50 percent decrease in drinking

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Jun 22, 2012 at 10:54 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 22, 2012 at 12:12 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - A new mobile app designed by a local psychologist is already helping people cut back on their drinking problems.

Dr. Patrick Dulin, a professor of psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, dubbed his product the "Buddy System" and said it is still in the test stages of development. By gathering user data on drinking triggers like locations and people, the app uses GPS technology to issue warnings and suggest alternatives to pouring a drink.

"When they enter into a boundary around that location, Buddy starts to talk to them and says, 'Are you sure you want to go in, this might put your drinking goals at risk - here are three different things that you can do to help you manage being in this place,'" Dulin said.

The 28 people who tested the app reported an average 50 percent decrease in drinking, and Dulin said the product could be available for general use next year.

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