Smartphone app plus medications to help Veterans manage heavy drinking
Official title: Combining a Smartphone App with Medications to Manage Heavy Drinking
Funded at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System · NIH-11326692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VA-led project tests whether using a mobile app together with medications for alcohol use disorder helps Veterans in primary care drink less and stick with treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003742-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (18+) with alcohol use problems who are receiving or eligible for MAUD in VA primary care and are willing to use a smartphone app.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use or have access to a smartphone, or whose medical condition precludes MAUD use, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on Veterans who drink heavily and may benefit from medications and psychosocial help. It explores using a smartphone app that provides personalized strategies and reminders alongside prescribed medicines to support treatment in primary care. The team has already tested the app’s usability with Veterans and now proposes a broader study in real-world clinic settings. If successful, the approach could make evidence-based care more accessible and convenient for patients who face barriers like wait times and stigma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans could receive more effective, accessible AUD treatment in primary care, potentially improving drinking outcomes and overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies show that apps can improve drinking-related outcomes and support MAUD adherence, but larger trials are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawkins, Eric — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Hawkins, Eric
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.