Table 2 The behavioral change techniques contained within Breaking Free Online using the taxonomy produced by Michie et al. [5]

Cognitive

 Node-link mapping/psychoeducation (all LBM)

Case formulation – understand the links between situations, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, physical sensations and lifestyle

Information about antecedents (4.2); Information about health consequences (5.1); Salience of consequences (5.2); Information about social and environmental consequences (5.3); Information about emotional consequences (5.6)

 Motivational enhancement (lifestyle)

Increase treatment engagement and retention. Increase readiness to change behavior

Non-specific reward (10.3); Focus on past success (15.3)

 Implementation intentions (lifestyle)

Situational cue to elicit behavior

Action planning (1.4)

 Cognitive restructuring/mind traps (negative thoughts)

Challenge thoughts that may be unhelpful and linked to situations in which substances might be used

Re-attribution (4.3); Framing-reframing (13.2)

Behavioral

 Reward and reinforcement (achievements)

Encourage new behavior and continuation of this behavior via positive feedback

Non-specific reward (10.3); Non-specific incentive (10.6); Reward approximation (14.4); Rewarding completion (14.5);

 Refusal and assertiveness skills (difficult situations)

Relapse prevention for coping with environmental/situational/emotional triggers

Problem solving (1.2); Action planning (1.4); Instruction on how to perform a behavior (4.1); Behavioral practice/rehearsal (8.1); Behavior substitution (8.2); Avoidance/reducing exposure to cues for the behavior (12.3)

 Harm reduction (information on alcohol and drugs)

Reduce negative or fatal consequences of substance using behaviors

Information about health consequences (5.1); Salience of consequences (5.2); Behavior substitution (8.2); Habit reversal (8.4)

 Activity scheduling (unhelpful behaviors)

Increase activity to increase energy levels and relieve boredom

Goal setting (behavior) (1.1); Action planning (1.4)

 Self-monitoring (progress check)

Monitor behavior to provide feedback about progress towards goals

Self-monitoring of behavior (2.3); Feedback on outcome(s) of behavior (2.7)

Affective

 Emotional regulation (understanding your emotions)

Recognize/understand/normalize emotions

Information about emotional consequences (5.6); Behavioral practice/rehearsal (8.1); Reduce negative emotions (11.2)

 Coping strategy enhancement (understanding your emotions)

Developing more appropriate coping strategies

Problem solving (1.2); Social support (unspecified) (3.1); Behavioral practice/rehearsal (8.1); Distraction (12.4)

Cognitive-behavioral

 Relapse prevention (understanding your difficult situations)

Creating action plans on how to avoid or cope in high risk situations

Goal setting (behavior) (1.1); Problem solving (1.2); Action planning (1.4)

 Crisis management (understanding your difficult situations)

Intervention to help people in distress access support

Social support (unspecified) (3.1); Reduce negative emotions (11.2)

 Goal setting (lifestyle)

Creating SMART goals for recovery

Goal setting (behavior) (1.1); Problem solving (1.2); Goal setting (outcome) (1.3); Action planning (1.4)

Cognitive-behavioral-affective

 Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (understanding your emotions)

Relapse prevention based techniques

Instruction on how to perform a behavior (4.1); Behavioral practice/rehearsal (8.1); Reduce negative emotions (11.2)