Pilot Study of a Text Message Platform to Reduce Risky Drinking in Young Adults
Alcohol AbuseAlcohol Consumption1 moreYoung adults are in a critical period where they can be influenced to avoid a trajectory of high-risk drinking and harmful outcomes in the later adult years. The Emergency Department might offer a unique opportunity to reach young adults, if an easy to implement screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment was available. The investigators are investigating the feasibility and accuracy of ED-initiated and outpatient-continued assessment of drinking behavior in young adults using a computer-driven text messaging platform. Based on the subject's response to weekly assessments, the computer platform will send personalized motivational messages in real-time.
Balanced Lifestyle for Undergraduate Excellence - Mobile (Project BLUEM)
Binge DrinkingAlcohol Drinking in College3 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate a text-message delivered approach for improving college adjustment and experience and reducing risky alcohol use in young adult college students. The study compares a text-message delivered brief motivational intervention for reducing alcohol use and increasing engagement in alcohol-free activities, to text-message delivered alcohol and nutrition education sessions. The investigators predict that individuals who receive the brief motivational intervention will report less alcohol use and fewer related problems 3 months following the intervention compared to those who receive the education sessions. The investigators also expect that these individuals will report greater engagement in alcohol-free activities compared to those who receive the education sessions.
Effects of a School-based Intervention to Increase the Water Consumption in Elementary School Children...
Water ConsumptionDrinking BehaviorThe purpose of this controlled intervention study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention aiming at increasing the water consumption in elementary school children. The intervention schools received refillable water bottles and drying racks for all school children as well as educational material. The focus of the intervention is the promotion of drinking tap water.
Behavior Brain Responses
Alcohol DrinkingDrinking Behavior2 moreTo compare responses to acute oral doses of ethanol in healthy young adults who experience mainly stimulant subjective effects from the drug or mainly sedative effects.
The Alcohol-Pain Connection: Mechanisms and Genetic/Psychological Correlates
PainAlcohol Drinking2 moreThe societal impact of heavy alcohol consumption and chronic pain is substantial and warrants the existing research investment into their etiology and treatment. Moreover, evidence of significant co-occurrence between these conditions offers an opportunity to examine mechanisms in the alcohol-pain connection that may inform the development of novel treatments. Consistent with NIH PA-15-026 (Mechanistic Studies of Pain and Alcohol Dependence), the goal of the proposed study is to examine several complex and potentially bidirectional relations between pain and alcohol in one overarching model, which has never been attempted in a human experimental paradigm. The primary study aims are as follows: (1) to conduct the first test of both pharmacological and expectancy effects in acute alcohol analgesia among humans; (2) to conduct the first test of pain as a proximal antecedent of urge to drink and ad lib alcohol consumption, and to test whether acute analgesic effects predict pain-induced alcohol urge/consumption; (3) to test associations between study outcomes and candidate genetic polymorphisms that have been implicated in pain-alcohol processes; and (4) to conduct exploratory analyses of gender and pain relevant cognitive-affective factors as moderators of these outcomes. Participants will include 280 moderate-to-heavy drinkers recruited from the local community. Experimental methods will include alcohol administration (moderate dose vs. low dose vs. placebo vs. control) and pre/post assessment of static/dynamic pain responses, and capsaicin/heat pain induction (vs. no pain induction) followed by assessment of urge to drink and ad lib alcohol consumption. By employing a novel experimental paradigm, the study results will provide internally valid data with clear and direct implications for translating these findings to clinical applications. It is our expectation that this work will catalyze future research and inform clinical practice by establishing an experimental platform that allows for the demonstration of causal effects, the evaluation of treatment components prior to conducting costly clinical trials, and the identification of important theory-based biopsychosocial mechanisms that can inform the development of novel integrated treatments for individuals with co-occurring pain and alcohol use disorders.
Alcohol, Behavior, and Brain Imaging
Alcohol DrinkingBinge Drinking5 moreTo evaluate the relationship of extraversion to both the acute subjective and behavioral effects of alcohol, and the neural reactivity to the anticipation of reward.
Neuroimaging Mechanisms by Which Memory and Glucocorticoids Promote Risky Drinking
Alcohol DrinkingDrinking Behavior2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine whether hydrocortisone biases formation of alcohol-related memories to potentiate drinking.
Smartphone Technology: Young Adult Drinking
Alcohol UseAlcohol Drinking1 moreExploring technology based tools to reduce drinking is important. The purpose of this research study is to compare different BAC monitoring apps for their effects on alcohol drinking and ratings of usability among young adults.This study will be conducted in six phases: a web-based and in-person screening assessment; brief counseling session on the day before the alcohol drinking session; brief appointment on the day of the alcohol drinking session; alcohol drinking session; two-week field period; and a follow-up appointment. Participation in this study will last approximately two months.
Naltrexone and Memantine Effects on Alcohol Drinking Behaviors
Alcohol DrinkingThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the combined effects of the study medications naltrexone and memantine on alcohol drinking behaviors.
Young Adult Naturalistic Alcohol Study (YANAS) Using Smartphone Technology in a Simulated Laboratory...
Alcohol UseAlcohol Drinking1 moreIt is important to explore use of technology to reduce drinking. The purpose of this research study is to compare different types of mobile technology for their effects on alcohol drinking and ratings of usability among young adults.This study will be conducted in four phases: a web-based screening assessment; brief appointment on the day of the alcohol drinking session; alcohol drinking session; and a follow-up appointment. Participation in this study will last approximately two months.