Therapy to help HIV-positive individuals reduce hazardous drinking
Official title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for HIV+ hazardous drinkers: A randomized clinical trial
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-10908365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help people living with HIV who drink too much alcohol, by teaching them ways to handle their feelings and thoughts better so they can improve their health and reduce their drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $499,501 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030935-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are HIV-positive individuals over the age of 21 who engage in hazardous drinking and may also experience mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or who do not engage in hazardous drinking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for individuals living with HIV who engage in hazardous drinking. The study aims to address the challenges faced by these individuals by targeting the psychological processes that contribute to both substance use and mental health issues. Participants will receive a telephone-delivered ACT intervention designed to help them manage their alcohol consumption and improve their overall health outcomes. The approach focuses on reducing experiential avoidance, which is the tendency to escape from negative thoughts and feelings through substance use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment outcomes for HIV-positive individuals struggling with alcohol use, enhancing their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been limited successful trials of alcohol interventions for people with HIV, this specific approach using ACT is novel and has not been fully tested in this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woolf-King, Sarah E — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Woolf-King, Sarah E
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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.