Training to help young adults manage cravings for alcohol
Brief Training for Heavy Drinking Young Adults: Regulation of Alcohol Craving
This study is testing if short training sessions in managing cravings can help heavy drinking young adults cut back on their alcohol consumption.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 177 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 26 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Yale University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Berkeley, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05491551 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study examines the effects of brief training in regulation of craving (ROC-T) on alcohol consumption among heavy drinking young adults. Participants aged 18-26 will be randomized into three groups: one receiving cognitive-behavioral training, another receiving mindfulness-based training, and a control group with no intervention. The study includes a screening process, baseline assessments, four training sessions over three weeks, and follow-up assessments to evaluate changes in drinking behavior. The aim is to determine if these training methods can effectively reduce binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults aged 18-26 who have reported heavy drinking days and are motivated to reduce their alcohol consumption.
Not a fit: Patients with clinically severe alcohol use disorder or other serious psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this training could significantly reduce binge drinking and heavy drinking behaviors in young adults.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches for reducing alcohol consumption, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: (1) Young adults ages 18-26 years, who (2) report ≥ 3 heavy drinking days (i.e., heavy drinking defined by \>3 drinks for women, \>4 drinks for men) in the prior month; (3) are motivated to quit or reduce drinking; (4) are fluent in English and have a 6th grade or higher reading level; (5) have access to a computer with working internet; (6) use a working smartphone; (7) can commit to the full length of the protocol; and (8) are willing to be randomized to intervention condition. Exclusion Criteria: (1) Current (past 12 months) clinically-severe alcohol use disorder (AUD; e.g., history of seizures, delirium, or hallucinations during withdrawal) or current severe alcohol withdrawal; (2) Current (past 12 months) clinically-severe substance use disorder (except tobacco) or current severe drug withdrawal; (3) serious other psychiatric illness by history or examination; (4) severe or unstable physical disease within the past 6 months; (5) psychoactive medications (e.g., mood stabilizers) that have not been at a stable dose unless determined to be on a stable dose of medication by the study psychiatrist; (6) current use of any investigational medication; (7) color blindness; (8) biological females who are pregnant; and (9) notable dislike to any particular type of alcoholic beverage depicted in study stimuli; (10) Participants who will not complete at least 70% of past day EMA reports in the pre-intervention phase will not be randomized; (11) Participants who cannot understand or follow study-related instructions (e.g., unable to correctly use the intervention strategies, indicate lack of understanding of study instructions despite multiple attempts).
Where this trial is running
Berkeley, California and 1 other locations
- University of California, Berkeley — Berkeley, California, United States (Recruiting)
- Yale University — New Haven, Connecticut, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hedy Kober, Ph.D. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hedy Kober, PhD
- Email: hedy.kober@yale.edu
- Phone: 917-470-8331
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.