Training to help young adults manage cravings for alcohol

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.