PFIcope+EMI for Alcoholism

This trial tests a new method to assist young adults who use alcohol to cope with negative feelings like anxiety or depression. It combines personalized feedback with real-time support through an app and text messages to help reduce alcohol use and improve coping skills. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either this new intervention, called Coping-Motive Specific Personalized Feedback Intervention plus an Ecological Momentary Intervention (PFIcope+EMI), or just feedback about their drinking habits. Ideal candidates are young adults who frequently drink alcohol to manage emotions and have symptoms of anxiety or depression. Participants need a smartphone to use the app for the trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new ways of managing alcohol use and emotional well-being.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Research shows that the PFIcope+EMI treatment, which combines personalized feedback with supportive text messages, is generally well-tolerated by participants. Previous studies using real-time feedback and support methods have shown promising safety results. These studies suggest that this approach can help people manage their drinking habits without significant side effects.

No specific negative effects have been reported in the available data. The treatment's presence in a clinical trial indicates it has passed initial safety checks. The trial aims to help young adults who drink to cope with negative emotions, focusing on mental well-being without using harmful substances.

Researchers are excited about PFIcope+EMI for alcoholism because it blends personalized feedback with real-time support, setting it apart from traditional treatments like counseling or medication. This approach uses a unique combination of an in-person feedback session to develop coping skills and an Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) that sends tailored text messages based on the individual's current mood and intention to drink. By providing immediate and personalized support, PFIcope+EMI offers a dynamic and adaptive way to help individuals manage their alcohol use, potentially leading to more effective outcomes.

Research shows that the PFIcope+EMI treatment, one of the study arms in this trial, may help reduce alcohol use by addressing reasons for drinking, such as coping with negative emotions. Studies have found that personalized feedback and real-time text messages can effectively target drinking habits. This treatment combines feedback on drinking patterns with supportive text messages to help manage emotions and reduce the urge to drink when feeling down. Early results suggest this method helps people understand their drinking habits and develop healthier coping strategies. By providing real-time support, it aims to make meaningful changes in drinking behavior. Meanwhile, another arm of this trial, the Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF), provides participants with normative feedback only on their alcohol use.¹³⁴⁵⁶