Reducing alcohol use among people living with HIV using mobile health tools

Novel Extensions of Alcohol Contingency Management in People Living With HIV

Not applicable Interventional University of Florida · NCT05153811

This study is testing if using mobile health tools can help people living with HIV cut down on their alcohol use.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages35 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Coral Gables, Florida and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05153811 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to implement innovative strategies to reduce alcohol consumption in individuals living with HIV through Contingency Management (CM) techniques. The approach incorporates mobile health (mHealth) tools, including a smartphone breathalyzer and a wrist-worn alcohol biosensor, to monitor and encourage reduced alcohol use. Participants will engage in mobile-facilitated CM for a duration of 30 to 60 days, with follow-up assessments extending up to six months to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals who are HIV positive, have a history of frequent alcohol use, and are willing to engage with mobile health technology for alcohol reduction.

Not a fit: Patients with psychiatric conditions that interfere with participation or those currently experiencing alcohol withdrawal may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve alcohol use outcomes for individuals living with HIV, enhancing their overall health and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing mobile health interventions for alcohol use reduction have shown promise, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Frequent alcohol use in the past 30 days based on responses on the Timeline Followback (TLFB; Sobell and Sobell, 2003)
* HIV positive
* Fluency in English
* Willingness to attempt alcohol abstinence for at least 30 days and then to attempt alcohol use on fewer days than at baseline after that
* Willingness to use smartphone applications and biosensor devices (i.e., breathalyzer device and wrist sensor) for alcohol use reduction purposes in the study. If participants do not have a compatible smartphone to use, they will be loaned one by the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychiatric conditions that would interfere with participation in the study
* Current alcohol withdrawal as indicated by a score of 8 or higher on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Scale (CIWA; Sullivan et al., 1989) or lifetime history of medically assisted detoxification
* Two positive breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) readings (i.e., \> 0.00%) at an in-person screening appointment. After participants blow their first positive BrAC, they will be allowed to reschedule and participate at another time, however if they blow a second positive BrAC, they will be excluded from this study and offered referrals for alcohol treatment.
* Currently seeking or past-12-month history of inpatient or intensive treatment for addictive behaviors
* Psychosis or other severe psychiatric disability
* Pregnancy, nursing or lack of reliable birth control use for women who have not yet reached menopause

Where this trial is running

Coral Gables, Florida and 1 other locations

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 Alcohol Use
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.