Preventing relapse in people with HIV and alcohol use issues

Alcohol Research Consortium in HIV: Relapse Prevention Arm

Not applicable Interventional Johns Hopkins University · NCT05163301

This study is testing a new counseling program to help people with HIV who have relapsed in their alcohol use to see if it works better than regular alcohol counseling.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorJohns Hopkins University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Baltimore, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT05163301 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a brief counseling intervention designed for individuals with HIV who have experienced a relapse in alcohol use after a period of abstinence. Participants will receive either a person-delivered or a computer-delivered relapse prevention intervention, which will be compared to standard alcohol counseling provided at the HIV clinic. The study will also assess how acceptable and feasible these interventions are for implementation in a clinical setting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed HIV diagnosis and a history of alcohol use disorder who are currently receiving care at the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinic.

Not a fit: Patients who are acutely suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, or unable to provide informed consent, as well as non-English speakers, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could help reduce alcohol relapse rates among individuals living with HIV, improving their overall health and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in addressing alcohol use disorders in other populations, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Confirmed diagnosis of HIV
* Aged 18 years or older
* Must be enrolled in clinical care at Johns Hopkins HIV Clinic.

In addition, meet the following alcohol use criteria:

1. lifetime alcohol use disorder
2. patient reported outcomes (PRO) assessment collected by the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Network of Clinical Systems as part of usual clinical care that show in the last 3 years: periods of no or lower risk drinking (e.g. women/men who are drinking \<11/22 drinks per week) and periods of lapse to higher levels of drinking (=\>11/22 drinks per week for women/men)
3. current PRO showing alcohol abstinence or alcohol use at \<11/22 drinks per week for women/men.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acutely suicidal, homicidal, psychotic or otherwise unable to provide informed consent
* Non-English speaking because interventions are currently available in English only

Where this trial is running

Baltimore, Maryland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HIVAlcohol Use Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.