Dynamic Personalized Feedback for Young Adults with a History of Alcohol-Induced Blackout - PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Approximately 50% of young adults who drink alcohol experience alcohol-induced “blackouts,” defined as
permanent (en bloc) or temporary (fragmentary) memory loss for events that occurred while they are drinking.
This experience of alcohol-induced blackout is associated prospectively with alcohol-related harm, including
emergency room visits and sexual coercion, with medical care costs exceeding $469,000 per year. While
young adults who have recently experienced a blackout report less favorable evaluations of drinking events
and increased motivation to decrease their drinking, they do not actually change their drinking behavior as a
result of the blackout alone. Collectively, these data suggest that blackouts may serve as an opportunity for
intervention, after which young adults are more likely to respond to alcohol feedback. This R34 aims to develop
an intervention tailored to individuals who experience blackouts. The research team developed a dynamic
personalized feedback intervention for young adults with a history of blackout. In the first phase of this
research (Aim 1 user testing), 15-20 young adults with a history of blackout will provide their perspectives on
the proposed content, layout, and language of the intervention. In the second phase of the project (Aim 1 pilot
testing), 15 young adults with a history of blackout will pilot the intervention and then provide feedback on their
experience with and reactions to delivery. In the final phase (Aim 2 preliminary efficacy testing), 162 young
adults (50% female, ≥50% non-college) who report a history of blackout will be randomly assigned to receive
the intervention (n=81) or assessment only (n=81). Outcomes will be assessed immediately post-intervention
and at 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes include feasibility (recruitment/retention) and acceptability of the
intervention, frequency of high-intensity drinking, peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC), frequency of
blackouts, and alcohol-related consequences. Secondary outcomes include incidence of sexual coercion or
emergency room visits, perceived likelihood and aversiveness of blackouts, cost/benefits of alcohol use, and
self-efficacy of avoid blackouts. Results will inform an R01 randomized trial examining the efficacy and
mediators/moderators of the intervention in a larger sample of heavy-drinking young adults. This study will
provide initial evidence that blackouts are a feasible and motivating target for brief alcohol interventions.