Mobile app and peer support for reducing hazardous drinking in Veterans
Official title: Stand Down-Think Before You Drink: An RCT of a Mobile App for Hazardous Drinking With Peer Phone Support
Run by VA Office of Research and Development · NCT05473598 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study tests whether a mobile app for managing drinking can help Veterans cut back on alcohol, especially when they also get support from trained peers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 274 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 2 sites (Palo Alto, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05473598 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are Veterans who have screened positive for hazardous drinking and own a smartphone.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active psychotic or cognitive disorders, as well as those unwilling to participate in randomization, may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This project evaluates the effectiveness of a mobile app called 'Stand Down' designed for self-management of hazardous drinking among Veterans. The study compares the app's impact when used alone versus when combined with peer support from trained Peer Specialists. By addressing barriers to treatment, such as stigma and accessibility, the study aims to improve engagement and drinking outcomes for Veterans who screen positive for hazardous drinking. The intervention is based on previous pilot studies that showed promising results in reducing alcohol consumption among participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve access to alcohol treatment services and reduce hazardous drinking among Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with mobile health interventions for alcohol use, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Veterans will be eligible if they: * had a positive AUDIT-C screen (score of \> 5) during a primary care visit in the past month at a clinic at either the VA Palo Alto Health Care System or the Syracuse VA Medical Center * have documentation in their medical records of receipt of a BI following a positive screen * did not receive any outpatient, inpatient, or residential care for alcohol use in the month after their positive AUDIT-C * own a smartphone Exclusion Criteria: * Veterans who have active diagnoses of a psychotic disorder or a cognitive disorder (e.g., dementia) will be excluded * Veterans who do not agree to be randomized will be excluded as well
Where it's running
-
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, California, United States Recruiting -
Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Daniel M. Blonigen, PhD MA — VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
- Study coordinator: Daniel M Blonigen, PhD MA
- Email: Daniel.Blonigen@va.gov
- Phone: (650) 493-5000
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Long-term mental health tracking for medical students
This project will try to find what makes medical students more likely to develop depression by following cohorts of first-year health students over time and comparing them with peers who did not progress to the second year.
-
BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) for adults with alcohol use disorder
This study will test whether BrainsWay Deep TMS can reduce heavy drinking in adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder compared with a sham procedure.
-
How alcohol changes the social brain during paired interactions
This study tests whether drinking alcohol changes brain activity and social bonding during conversations between pairs of regular social drinkers aged 21–30.
-
Ketamine plus real-time fMRI neurofeedback for alcohol use disorder
This trial will test whether ketamine combined with real-time fMRI neurofeedback helps adults with alcohol use disorder drink less.
-
Tirzepatide's effects on alcohol intake in patients with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder
This study is testing if the medication tirzepatide can help people with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder drink less alcohol over six months.
-
Comparing two therapies for alcohol addiction
This study is testing which therapy, Combined Behavioral Intervention or Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, works better to help adults with alcohol addiction reduce their drinking and improve their overall well-being.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.