Actively Recruiting
Brief Computerized Intervention for Reducing Adolescent Cannabis and Alcohol Use
Led by Medical University of South Carolina · Updated on 2026-03-09
52
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Medical University of South Carolina
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a computerized treatment designed for adolescents aged 13 to 17 who are seeking help for alcohol and/or cannabis use. The study aims to assess changes in substance use behavior and automatic approach bias related to cannabis and alcohol. Follow-up evaluations are scheduled at one month and three months after treatment to monitor progress. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The Treatment Group will complete four sessions of a modified Approach-Avoidance Task (mAAT) that targets changing automatic approach bias toward substances. The Control Group will complete four sessions of a similar task that does not aim to modify this bias. Both groups will undergo baseline assessments involving questions about substance use, thoughts, past experiences, and feelings about reducing use. Brain activity will be measured using EEG during computerized joystick tasks, and participants will report health and behavior information via a secure app on a smartphone or tablet. During the study, participants will complete computerized tasks, answer questionnaires, and have their brain activity monitored. Assessments will measure changes in cannabis and alcohol use using the Timeline Followback method and changes in Cannabis Approach Bias (D-Score) at baseline, one-week, and three-month follow-ups. The study is double-blinded and randomized, with all procedures designed to carefully track substance use and related behaviors over time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
CARS: Cannabis and Alcohol Reduction Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Between the ages of 13 and 17
- Seeking treatment for cannabis or alcohol use
- Report using both alcohol and cannabis in the past three months
- Have a caregiver willing to participate and provide consent
You will not qualify if you...
- None explicitly stated in the eligibility criteria provided
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)
Duration - 1 day
Participants complete questionnaires about alcohol and cannabis use, thoughts, past experiences related to substance use, and feelings about reducing use. They also complete computerized tasks while brain activity is measured using EEG.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 4 sessions over several weeks
Participants complete four sessions of the modified Approach-Avoidance Task (mAAT) aimed at modifying automatic approach bias or a similar task that does not modify approach bias, depending on group assignment. They also respond to health and behavior questions using a smartphone or tablet app during this period.
4 visits (in-person) plus app-based assessments
Duration - 3 months
Participants complete follow-up assessments to measure changes in cannabis and alcohol use and approach bias at one week and three months after baseline.
2 visits (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Austin M Hahn, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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