Using smarter, personalized app messages to help adults with alcohol problems stay engaged and avoid relapse
Optimizing Smart Digital Therapeutic Message Components for Engagement and Clinical Outcomes for Alcohol Use Disorder
This project uses a machine-learning powered Android app to send personalized messages to adults with alcohol use disorder to help them stay engaged and reduce relapse risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173755 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use an Android version of the A-CHESS support app that collects personal sensing data from your phone. A machine-learning model will use those sensing signals to predict when you might be at higher risk of lapsing and generate tailored messages. The team will test different message components (for example timing, wording, and how the risk is presented) to see which ones keep people using the app and help them stay sober. The study will track app engagement and drinking outcomes over time to compare approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with alcohol use disorder who are willing to use an Android smartphone app and share phone-sensing data are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without an Android phone, unwilling to use an app or share phone data, or who need in-person treatment only may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could give timely, personalized support on your phone to reduce risky drinking and prevent relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Clinician-delivered relapse prevention and some digital apps have helped people, and early machine-learning lapse prediction work is promising though personalized message delivery is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curtin, John J. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Curtin, John J.
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 below.