Project Motion, A Study of Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Heavy or Problematic Drinking

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18-65 * primary current diagnosis of alcohol use disorder * have an average weekly consumption of \>24 standard drinks (A standard drink is defined as 1.5 oz of 80 proof distilled spirits, a 5 oz. glass of wine, or a 12 oz. beer. These are all estimated to have about 0.5 oz or 9 grams of pure ethanol.) * able to read English at the eighth grade or higher level and show no evidence of significant cognitive impairment * are willing to reduce drinking to non-hazardous levels * are willing to provide signed informed consent to participate * agree not to seek additional substance abuse treatment during study period Exclusion Criteria: * have significant current substance use or substance dependence (with the exception of marijuana, nicotine and caffeine),defined as, any substance use (with the exception of marijuana, nicotine and caffeine) greater than weekly use in the past month * have a serious psychiatric illness (e.g., psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, etc.) or substantial suicide or violence risk * having clinically severe alcoholism as evidenced by a history of significant medical problems associated with drinking, a history of seizures or severe withdrawal symptoms, or more than one inpatient treatment episode for drinking * legally mandated to receive substance abuse treatment * sufficiently socially unstable as to preclude completion of study requirements (e.g., homeless) * state desire to pursue a goal of lifetime absti…