TRAC-ER Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use and HIV Risk

Description

Ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use phones to deliver messages to reduce alcohol use and related risk behaviors during or prior to drinking events, can help to address triggers in real-time. GPS tracking can determine when individuals visit places they have previously reported drinking or triggers to drink and then EMI messages can be delivered upon arrival to prevent risky alcohol use. A mobile app has been developed that uses GPS tracking to determine when individuals visit "risky" places and then delivers a survey asking what behaviors they engaged in while at the location. The goal of the proposed study is to use this app to enhance the Tracking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption (TRAC) intervention by delivering messages that encourage participants to employ strategies discussed during TRAC sessions when arriving at risky places. When they leave these places, they will complete a survey and breathalyzer reading in order to collect event-level self-report and biological data on alcohol use and HIV risk. If their breathalyzer result indicates alcohol use, they will receive harm reduction messaging. It is expected that combining TRAC with EMI ("TRAC-ER") will increase effectiveness by reinforcing topics discussed during these sessions, providing in-the-moment messaging to address triggers, and collecting real-time alcohol use data.

Conditions

Risk Behavior, Alcohol Use Disorder, HIV Infections

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use phones to deliver messages to reduce alcohol use and related risk behaviors during or prior to drinking events, can help to address triggers in real-time. GPS tracking can determine when individuals visit places they have previously reported drinking or triggers to drink and then EMI messages can be delivered upon arrival to prevent risky alcohol use. A mobile app has been developed that uses GPS tracking to determine when individuals visit "risky" places and then delivers a survey asking what behaviors they engaged in while at the location. The goal of the proposed study is to use this app to enhance the Tracking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption (TRAC) intervention by delivering messages that encourage participants to employ strategies discussed during TRAC sessions when arriving at risky places. When they leave these places, they will complete a survey and breathalyzer reading in order to collect event-level self-report and biological data on alcohol use and HIV risk. If their breathalyzer result indicates alcohol use, they will receive harm reduction messaging. It is expected that combining TRAC with EMI ("TRAC-ER") will increase effectiveness by reinforcing topics discussed during these sessions, providing in-the-moment messaging to address triggers, and collecting real-time alcohol use data.

Evaluation of a Combined Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use Among Individuals Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS

TRAC-ER Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use and HIV Risk

Condition
Risk Behavior
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New Haven

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06520

Lexington

University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40536

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

  • * is between the ages of 18-35 at the start of the study
  • * owns a smartphone
  • * has not been diagnosed with HIV
  • * screens positively for at-risk alcohol use (score of 4 or higher on the AUDIT-C, OR report engaging in binge drinking at least once over the past 12 months).
  • * meets criteria for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) OR is identified as being at high risk for HIV (i.e., reports history of using PrEP/PEP, reports unprotected sex, etc.)
  • * do not speak English
  • * are actively detoxifying from substances and need medical supervision
  • * a score of 20 or greater on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Kentucky,

Carolyn Lauckner, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Kentucky

Trace Kershaw, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Yale University

Study Record Dates

2027-05