Actively Recruiting
Combining a Smartphone App With Medications to Manage Heavy Drinking in Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2025-10-31
330
Participants Needed
15
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether combining medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) with a smartphone app called Stand Down (SD-App) can improve drinking outcomes for Veterans diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to medications alone. This study addresses barriers Veterans face in accessing psychosocial treatments, such as stigma and distance from clinics, by offering an app-based intervention alongside medication in primary care settings. The trial aims to inform how to spread this app across VA facilities nationally. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard MAUD care or MAUD plus access to the Stand Down app. MAUD includes medications like naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, and topiramate, prescribed by VA clinical providers as usual care. The Stand Down app helps users manage alcohol use through personalized strategies, self-monitoring, and support tools, delivered via their smartphones. The study will enroll 330 Veterans across 15 VA sites and follow them for up to 12 months. Throughout the study, participants will complete assessments at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, including self-reports and medical record reviews to measure heavy drinking days, alcohol-related problems, risk levels, mental health symptoms, and treatment adherence. Researchers will also conduct interviews with Veterans and VA staff to explore factors affecting the app's adoption and use. The total study participation may last up to one year with ongoing monitoring of drinking behaviors and health outcomes.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Combining a Smartphone App With Medications to Manage Heavy Drinking
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosed with alcohol use disorder and reported at least 4 heavy drinking days in the past 30 days (5+ drinks for men, 4+ for women)
- Enrolled in VA primary care
- Planning to start medications for alcohol use disorder as indicated by a medication order
- Between 18 and 80 years old
- Willing to be randomly assigned to a study group
- Own an Android or iPhone smartphone
You will not qualify if you...
- Participation in substance use disorder treatment in the past 30 days
- Received medications for alcohol use disorder within the past 30 days, except new starts within 7 days before screening
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Severe psychiatric symptoms or psychosocial instability that would prevent study participation, as determined by the provider
- Over 80 years old due to decreased use of mobile health apps with age
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) to confirm eligibility and consent
Duration - Up to 6 months
Participants begin medication for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) as prescribed by their clinical pharmacist specialists. Those randomized to the experimental group also receive access to the Stand Down smartphone app to support managing their drinking.
Baseline visit at treatment start and follow-up visits aligned with routine VA primary care and medication management
Duration - 6 to 12 months post-baseline
Participants are followed for continued evaluation of drinking behavior, mental health, and satisfaction with care up to 12 months post-baseline.
Assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months via self-report and medical record review
Trial Site Locations
Total: 15 locations
1
Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85012
Actively Recruiting
2
Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States, 72703-1944
Actively Recruiting
3
Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, DC
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States, 20422-0001
Actively Recruiting
4
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32608-1135
Actively Recruiting
5
Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033-4004
Actively Recruiting
6
Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Dublin, GA
Dublin, Georgia, United States, 31021
Actively Recruiting
7
Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Battle Creek, MI
Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, 49037
Actively Recruiting
8
Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417-2309
Actively Recruiting
9
Omaha VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE
Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68105-1850
Actively Recruiting
10
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Nashville Campus, Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37212-2637
Actively Recruiting
11
VA North Texas Health Care System Dallas VA Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75216-7167
Actively Recruiting
12
South Texas Health Care System, San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229-4404
Actively Recruiting
13
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84148-0001
Actively Recruiting
14
Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23249-0001
Actively Recruiting
15
VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98108-1532
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Eric J Hawkins, PhD
A
Anissa N Danner, MSW BA
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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