PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Nearly 1 in 4 young adults meet Alcohol Use Disorder criteria. Current interventions tend to yield small
effects and there is a lack of efficacious, in-the-moment behavioral interventions. Technology and smartphone
apps have great promise but there are no moderate drinking apps with evidence of efficacy for young adults.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is an important in-the-moment intervention target but estimating
BAC without technology and implementing moderate drinking strategies are both challenging. A recent R21
(AA023368, PI: Leeman) tested 3 moderate drinking technologies as solo interventions. Young adults were
randomized to use 1 of these technologies—1) smartphone breath alcohol device and app; 2) BAC-estimator
app, or 3) self-texting, drink counting procedure—in a lab alcohol self-administration session. While there were
no significant differences in alcohol self-administration based on technology, participants then had open
access to the 3 technologies for a 2-week period. Compared to baseline, participants reported nearly a drink
per drinking day less, on average, in the 2-week period. They used at least 1 form of technology on 72% of
drinking days, and 9 times total, on average, despite only being compensated for using each technology once.
Participants often used more than 1 form of technology in a drinking episode and described barriers like
forgetting and using certain technologies in some contexts but not others. Based on these findings, the optimal
approach is for the 3 moderate drinking technologies to be developed and tested as a combined intervention.
In developing ways to facilitate moderate drinking technology use, we will explore “higher” and “lower tech”
options. Additional technology may optimize use of the 3 technologies. A new app could help users switch
easily among technologies and facilitate selection based on current context using tools like geospatial location.
However, these 3 technologies do not require much skill or cellular data and some people have limitations with
internet access or cellular data, thus “lower tech” options (e.g., phone alarms as reminders) are also appealing.
Given the R21 tested the 3 moderate drinking technologies as solo interventions, as a combined
intervention, we lack feasibility data; preliminary efficacy data compared to a control condition; negative
consequence data versus baseline; and data on possible mechanisms. Thus, we need R34 support to formally
develop a combined, multi-modal intervention to prepare for an R01. We propose a 3-stage project, beginning
with formative research (N=25) testing brief, MI-based counseling revised from our R21 study, plus open use
of the 3 moderate drinking technologies for 2 weeks with “lower tech” facilitation and a formative interview. In
Stage 2, we will create an app as “higher-tech” facilitation and design a multi-modal attention control condition.
In Stage 3, we will conduct a pilot RCT to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, usability and preliminary efficacy of
a combined, multi-modal intervention. “Higher” and “lower tech” facilitation will be implemented. This research
will address gaps from lack of precision medicine and efficacious in-the moment intervention for young adults.
