Actively Recruiting
Brief Training for Heavy Drinking Young Adults: Regulation of Alcohol Craving
Led by Yale University · Updated on 2026-02-19
177
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Y
Yale University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying heavy drinking young adults aged 18 to 26 to see how brief training in craving regulation affects alcohol consumption. This Stage 1B randomized controlled trial compares two active training methods based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) with a control group receiving no strategy. The study aims to understand if these approaches can reduce heavy drinking and related negative consequences. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: CBT-ROC-T training, MBT-ROC-T training, or a control group with no craving regulation strategy. Each participant will complete four 45-minute web-based sessions over three weeks. The study spans 16 weeks, including three weeks before intervention, three weeks during intervention, and ten weeks after intervention. Participants will undergo screening by phone and online, followed by in-person eligibility confirmation and baseline assessments. Throughout the study, they will complete training sessions, post-intervention assessments, and 1-2 follow-up assessments via phone or online. Researchers will measure changes in heavy drinking frequency, estimated blood alcohol concentration, alcohol-related negative consequences, and WHO drinking risk levels. Data will be collected using craving ratings and questionnaires during exposure to alcohol-related stimuli.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Alcohol-ROC-Training
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Young adults aged 18 to 26 years
- At least 3 heavy drinking days in the past month (more than 3 drinks for women, more than 4 drinks for men)
- Motivated to quit or reduce drinking
- Fluent in English with at least a 6th grade reading level
- Access to a computer with working internet
- Use of a working smartphone
- Ability to commit to the full study duration
- Willingness to be randomly assigned to a study group
You will not qualify if you...
- Current or past 12 months severe alcohol use disorder with withdrawal symptoms like seizures or hallucinations
- Current or past 12 months severe substance use disorder (except tobacco) or severe drug withdrawal
- History or presence of serious psychiatric illness
- Severe or unstable physical illness in the past 6 months
- Use of psychoactive medications not on a stable dose unless approved by the study psychiatrist
- Current use of any investigational medication
- Color blindness
- Pregnant biological females
- Strong dislike of any alcoholic beverage types shown in study materials
- Failure to complete at least 70% of daily reports before intervention
- Inability to understand or follow study instructions despite repeated attempts
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote) for eligibility assessment
Duration - 3 weeks
Participants complete 4 web-based behavioral training sessions over three weeks to learn strategies for regulating alcohol craving.
4 web-based training sessions (approximately 45 minutes each)
Duration - 10 weeks
Participants are followed for 10 weeks after the intervention to monitor drinking behavior and alcohol-related outcomes.
Periodic remote assessments during follow-up
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, United States, 94720
Actively Recruiting
2
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06510
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Hedy Kober, PhD
C
Corey Roos
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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