Environmental approaches to the reduction of alcohol problems such as the Community Trial Intervention to Reduce High Risk Drink differ from more traditional individual based approaches.

First, where as traditional approaches are information-based and attempt to persuade individuals not to consume in dangerous ways, environmental approaches seek to implement policy changes designed to reduce such use.

Second, whereas the objective of traditional approaches seeks to change individual behavior the goal of the environmental approach is to effect system change within the community.

Third, while traditional programs strategically use mass media to target individuals, the environmental approach targets community leaders and policy makers.

Fourth, whereas traditional programs view community members as targets, the environmental approach seeks to harness and mobilize their energies in the pursuit of desired policy change. Finally, while traditional programs seek to alter demand, the environmental approach seeks to alter supply.