BACKGROUND: Interactive and mobile technologies (i.e., smartphones such as 
Blackberries, iPhones, and palm-top computers) show promise as an efficacious 
and cost-effective means of communicating health-behavior risks, improving 
public health outcomes, and accelerating behavior change. The present study was 
conducted as a "needs assessment" to examine the current available mobile 
smartphone applications (e.g., apps) that utilize principles of ecological 
momentary assessment (EMA)-daily self-monitoring or near real-time 
self-assessment of alcohol-use behavior-to promote positive behavior change, 
alcohol harm reduction, psycho-education about alcohol use, or abstinence from 
alcohol.
METHODS: Data were collected and analyzed from iTunes for Apple iPhone(©) . An 
inventory assessed the number of available apps that directly addressed alcohol 
use and consumption, alcohol treatment, or recovery, and whether these apps 
incorporated empirically based components of alcohol treatment.
RESULTS: Findings showed that few apps addressed alcohol-use behavior change or 
recovery. Aside from tracking drinking consumption, a minority utilized 
empirically based components of alcohol treatment. Some apps claimed they could 
serve as an intervention; however, no empirical evidence was provided.
CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed to examine the efficacy of mobile 
technology in alcohol intervention studies. The large gap between availability 
of mobile apps and their use in alcohol treatment programs indicates several 
important future directions for research.