Actively Recruiting
Development and Initial Testing of a Multi-Component Breath Alcohol-Focused Intervention for Young Adults, Stage 3
Led by Northeastern University · Updated on 2026-05-20
90
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
6 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
Northeastern University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are conducting the third stage of an NIH-funded study focused on young adults aged 18 to 25 who drink heavily. This study aims to develop and test a multi-modal intervention that uses personalized feedback about blood or breath alcohol concentration to encourage moderate drinking. The main goals are to assess how feasible the procedures are, how valuable participants find the technologies, and how easy the technologies are to use from the participants' perspective. The intervention includes brief motivational interviewing and psychoeducation sessions about blood and breath alcohol levels, followed by the use of three mobile technologies: a breath alcohol device and app, a blood alcohol content estimator app, and a self-texting procedure. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: one with "lower tech" facilitation involving close guidance and phone reminders, one with "higher tech" facilitation featuring the SmartSip app that provides protective strategies and reminders, or an active comparator group receiving non-personalized alcohol education with optional educational text messages. Participants will use the mobile technologies during drinking occasions over a four-week period. Researchers will monitor technology use, acceptability, and usability during this time. They will also track drinking patterns, estimated blood alcohol levels, and negative consequences related to drinking. The study includes regular evaluations to gather feedback on the intervention and its components to understand its impact and participant experience.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Multi-Component Breath Alcohol Intervention Phase 3
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be between the ages of 18 and 25
- Be able to read English and complete study evaluations
- Report at least four days with heavy episodic drinking (4+ drinks for women, 5+ drinks for men) in the past 30 days
- Report having consumed at least one alcoholic drink on at least 12 days in the past 30 days
- Meet at least 2 diagnostic criteria for mild alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5
- Show interest in using a smartphone app to help reduce drinking with a minimum score of 3 on a 0-10 openness scale
You will not qualify if you...
- Have received inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment within the past 12 months
- Have used a smartphone app to moderate drinking more than once in the past 12 months
- Meet criteria for current substance use disorder except for tobacco use disorder, mild/moderate alcohol use disorder, or mild cannabis use disorder
- Have a history of alcohol withdrawal or medically-assisted detoxification
- Be psychotic or severely psychiatrically disabled
- Have a medical condition that contraindicates alcohol consumption (e.g., liver disease, cardiac abnormality, pancreatitis, diabetes, neurological or gastrointestinal disorders)
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 - 4 weeks
Participants receive brief motivational interviewing or psychoeducation sessions and use various alcohol-related mobile health technologies, including breath alcohol devices and apps, over a four-week period to moderate drinking.
1 baseline visit and weekly check-ins during the 4-week period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115-5005
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jade Martinez, B.S.
A
Allie Farone, M.S.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
FACTORIAL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
3
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