AAT for Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans

Description

The proposed study will test a novel treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD) to determine if it helps Veterans reduce their hazardous drinking and recover from alcohol-related functional impairments across social, occupational, and domestic domains. To do so, the investigators will evaluate clinical, cognitive, and neural effects of a computer-delivered Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) treatment - which changes implicit tendencies to approach alcohol-related cues - in conjunction with standard VA care. The project will support RR\&D's mission to improve Veterans' participation in their lives and community by determining if this innovative alternative technique can improve recovery outcomes for Veterans with AUD and exploring how the intervention works.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The proposed study will test a novel treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD) to determine if it helps Veterans reduce their hazardous drinking and recover from alcohol-related functional impairments across social, occupational, and domestic domains. To do so, the investigators will evaluate clinical, cognitive, and neural effects of a computer-delivered Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) treatment - which changes implicit tendencies to approach alcohol-related cues - in conjunction with standard VA care. The project will support RR\&D's mission to improve Veterans' participation in their lives and community by determining if this innovative alternative technique can improve recovery outcomes for Veterans with AUD and exploring how the intervention works.

Enhancing Treatment Outcomes Among Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder: Clinical and Neural Markers of Adjunctive Approach-avoidance Training

AAT for Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans

Condition
Alcohol Use Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

San Diego

VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, San Diego, California, United States, 92161-0002

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * fluent in English
  • * primary diagnosis of AUD with no more than 90 days abstinence from alcohol
  • * 4-week stability if taking psychotropic medications
  • * lifetime history of psychotic or bipolar disorder
  • * neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders
  • * history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other known neurological condition
  • * sensory deficits that would preclude completing tasks
  • * suicidal or homicidal ideation within the past month necessitating urgent higher level care
  • * concurrent individual psychotherapy or other treatment outside of standard DDRP programming
  • * conditions unsafe for completing MRI scanning for those completing the scanning component only (e.g., metal in body)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Jessica A Bomyea, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Study Record Dates

2026-04-03