Virtual PEth-based Contingency Management for Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder
Official title: Assessing the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of a Virtual PEth-based Contingency Management for Adults with AUD
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11396448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A telehealth program uses a blood marker and rewards to help adults stay abstinent from alcohol over about six months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $687,476 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031013-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 and older with alcohol use disorder who can participate in telehealth visits and provide periodic biomarker samples.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to comply with remote monitoring or who require in-person interventions for safety or other medical reasons.
What this research studies
This project tests a telehealth contingency management approach that uses PEth, a blood biomarker, to verify abstinence over a 26-week period. Participants receive tangible rewards for submitting samples that show no alcohol use, delivered remotely to make care convenient. The study aims to reduce barriers like stigma, travel, and frequent in-person visits by leveraging telehealth and a simple biomarker. If successful, it could offer a feasible, longer-lasting support option for adults with alcohol use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience longer, more accessible support to stay abstinent from alcohol between treatment and follow-up.
How similar studies have gone: Prior telehealth CM studies show reductions in alcohol use, with PEth-based approaches offering a longer detection window and feasibility.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonell, Michael G — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Mcdonell, Michael G
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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.