What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether adding a gamified smartphone application called the Alcohol Attentional Control Training Program (AACTP) to standard alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatments can improve outcomes for patients with AUD. This study focuses on patients from outpatient clinics in Denmark and examines whether the AACTP can reduce attentional bias toward alcohol cues, alcohol craving, and drinking behavior. The trial is a randomized controlled study comparing the AACTP plus usual treatment to a sham-control application plus usual treatment. A total of 268 patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A will use the AACTP smartphone app alongside their usual treatment, receiving seven weekly training sessions. Group B will use a sham version of the app combined with usual treatment, also receiving seven weekly sessions. The smartphone applications are designed to retrain attention away from alcohol cues using gamified exercises. Participants will be evaluated at the start, after the 7-week treatment period, and again at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Researchers will measure alcohol consumption, attentional bias, and craving over time. The study aims to provide evidence on whether this gamified training can enhance existing treatments for AUD and offer a new, low-cost therapy option. The total participation period includes baseline, treatment, and follow-up assessments extending up to 24 weeks after treatment ends.

Attentional Control Training for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder