Actively Recruiting
Combining a Smartphone App With Medications to Manage Heavy Drinking
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2025-10-31
330
Participants Needed
15
Research Sites
208 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
One in 10 Veterans have an alcohol use disorder. However, few Veterans receive evidenced-based psychosocial interventions or medications to treat alcohol use disorder. Barriers to receiving these treatments include long wait times, stigma, and long distances from treatment facilities. Even fewer Veterans receive psychosocial and medication interventions together, despite clinical practice guidelines recommending both and evidence of better outcomes. Expanding access to these treatments in primary care is a VA priority but delivering psychosocial interventions is difficult in this setting, and medication is often the only option. Smartphone apps that deliver alcohol interventions may improve drinking outcomes and ensure Veterans can receive both treatments in primary care. This study will determine whether medications and an app for alcohol use problems offered to Veterans in primary care results in improved drinking outcomes, compared to Veterans receiving medications only. Study data will inform how to spread the app across the VA nationally.
CONDITIONS
Official 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 (5 drinks/day for men, 4 drinks/day for women) in the past 30 days
- Enrolled in VA primary care
- Planning to start medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) as indicated by a medication order
- Aged between 18 and 80 years
- Willing to be randomly assigned to a study group
- Own an Android or iPhone smartphone
You will not qualify if you...
- Participated in any substance use disorder treatment in the past 30 days
- Received medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder within the past 30 days (except new episodes started within 7 days before screening)
- Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Have severe psychiatric symptoms or psychosocial instability that may prevent study participation, as determined by the referring provider
- Older than 80 years due to decreased smartphone app use in this age group
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
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
CONTACT
A
Anissa N Danner, MSW BA
CONTACT
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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