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A Hybrid Type 1 Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online and Text-Messaging Intervention to Prevent Alcohol and Cannabis Initiation, Escalation, and Consequences Among First-Year College Students

Award Number: R01AA033553
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/20/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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A Hybrid Type 1 Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online and Text-Messaging Intervention to Prevent Alcohol and Cannabis Initiation, Escalation, and Consequences Among First-Year College Students - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Most research on college student substance use focuses on heavy alcohol use and frequent cannabis use, with less attention to students who abstain or use at low quantity and frequency (A/L use). Up to 50% of students entering college not using alcohol or cannabis initiate use during the first months of college. Initiation and escalation among A/L students is particularly concerning because these individuals often have lower tolerance, limited experience with alcohol, and fewer protective behavioral strategies. Early increases in drinking predict the development of alcohol use disorder, and accelerated transitions from cannabis initiation to regular use significantly increase the likelihood of daily use and dependence. Addressing both alcohol and cannabis in interventions is critical, as these substances are frequently initiated and escalated together during the college transition. Personalized feedback interventions (PFIs) have been shown to reduce alcohol use and consequences among students who use alcohol and cannabis heavily but have generally not been effective in preventing initiation or escalation among lighter-using students. These findings indicate that existing campus PFIs may not adequately reach a large and vulnerable segment of the student body. Tailored, early interventions for students with A/L use are therefore needed, as prevention of initiation and escalation can reduce future heavy drinking, cannabis use, and related consequences. One-time online PFIs reduce alcohol and cannabis use, but effects are typically small and short-lived. Text messaging (TM) is a low-cost, scalable approach that may extend effects over periods of known risk. Our pilot study with first-year students reporting A/L use showed that a TM intervention is feasible and highly acceptable during the critical first semester of college. The pilot did not include a PFI component, but formative work suggests that combined PFI and TM interventions are more efficacious than either approach alone. Building on these promising findings, this study proposes a Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel intervention compared to assessment-only control among first-year students with A/L use. The primary goal is to prevent alcohol and cannabis initiation, escalation, and consequences among students with A/L use. The secondary goal is to assess early implementation outcomes using an Implementation Research Logic Model informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Proctor’s taxonomy. Aim 1 will produce a finalized intervention through student focus groups to ensure relevance, engagement, and acceptability. Aim 2 will conduct a two-arm RCT with 800 first year students with A/L use across the first semester and academic year, delivering a web-based PFI plus six TMs per week over 12 weeks. Aim 3 will evaluate early implementation outcomes using mixed methods, including focus groups with a Campus Advisory Board, validated participant surveys, and intervention analytics to inform future dissemination and implementation strategies.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $701,015 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON	701 S NEDDERMAN DR	ARLINGTON	TX	76019	TARRANT	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	9/17/2026	NEW	$701,015
														Subtotal = $701,015

Grand Total All Awards = $701,015

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A Hybrid Type 1 Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online and Text-Messaging Intervention to Prevent Alcohol and Cannabis Initiation, Escalation, and Consequences Among First-Year College Students

Award Number: R01AA033553

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/20/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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