Alcohol Use Disorder
Conditions
Brief summary
Directly reinforcing abstinence from alcohol with monetary incentives is an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, but barriers in obtaining frequent, verified biochemical measures of abstinence limit the dissemination of this treatment approach. The goal of this study is to use technological advancements to remotely, accurately, and securely monitor alcohol use with a newly developed smartphone app and breathalyzer. This treatment approach has the potential to facilitate the dissemination of an effective, evidence-based treatment for alcohol dependence to a broader population whose treatment needs are not currently being adequately met.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALContingency management
Monetary incentives are delivered to participants contingent upon on-time breathalyzer submissions and verified abstinence from alcohol.
Sponsors
Mikhail N Koffarnus
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder * Average 3 or more heavy drinking days (≥5 drinks in one occasion for men, ≥4 for women) per week for the past month on the Timeline Follow-back. * Must endorse alcohol as their primary drug of use. * Express a desire to abstain from drinking.
Exclusion criteria
* Are currently enrolled in an alcohol treatment program (not including attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous or similar community support meetings). * Score 23 or greater on the Alcohol Withdrawal Symptom Checklist, a score indicating that medication would be likely required to manage alcohol detoxification. * Pregnant women, lactating women, or women who are planning to become pregnant in the next 15 months.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern of abstinence from alcohol during intervention | up to 66 weeks | Breathalyzer assessments will be collected during the treatment period. This outcome measure will consist of the percentage of days without alcohol use as detected by the breathalyzers. |
| Treatment acceptability | A total of 12 assessment sessions spanning over a 66 week period. | Participant ratings of treatment acceptability on a customized questionnaire will be collected during assessment sessions |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed