Helping Young Adults Cut Back on Alcohol (DEDICATE)

StuDy AimED at Increasing AlCohol AbsTinEnce (DEDICATE)

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · NIH-11369607

This compares a rewards-based program plus problem-solving therapy to the rewards program alone to help young adults with Alcohol Use Disorder reduce or stop drinking.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11369607 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be randomly assigned to get contingency management (a rewards program for reduced drinking) plus problem-solving therapy, or to get contingency management alone. The program gives tangible rewards when you show signs of drinking less and teaches skills to handle problems that trigger drinking. Researchers will use brain imaging to look for changes in brain function tied to treatment. The project focuses on young adults with Alcohol Use Disorder and takes place at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Young adults (about 18–24 years old) diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder who can attend clinic visits and want to try behavioral treatment.

Not a fit: People outside the target age range, those unwilling to attend in-person visits, or those needing immediate medical detox may not benefit from this behavioral trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a more effective behavioral treatment to help young adults cut back on drinking and protect their brain health.

How similar studies have performed: Contingency management has shown modest benefits in prior alcohol trials, but it has not been widely tested specifically in young adults or combined with problem-solving therapy, so the approach is promising but not yet proven.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.