Monetary Incentives for Abstinence in Alcoholism

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Mikhail N Koffarnus

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Directly reinforcing abstinence from alcohol with monetary incentives is an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, but barriers in obtaining frequent, verified biochemical measures of abstinence limit the dissemination of this treatment approach. As our feasibility study demonstrates, remote breathalyzer monitoring drastically improves the practicality of delivering an alcohol contingency management intervention. In Experiment 2, we will test whether the addition of remote abstinence incentives to treatment as usual improves outpatient treatment outcomes and prevents relapse following inpatient detoxification at a regional hospital system. We will also assess whether readmission rates are reduced using a newly developed smartphone app and breathalyzer.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who are currently not drinking alcohol and have recently finished or are finishing an alcohol detox program at Carilion Clinic or University of Kentucky Healthcare. Participants must meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder as per DSM-V but cannot have a primary substance use disorder other than alcohol.

Inclusion Criteria

You have a problem with alcohol use that meets the standard criteria set by the DSM-V.

Recently completed or currently completing an alcohol detoxification program through the Carilion Clinic or University of Kentucky Healthcare system.

You have not consumed alcohol before signing up for the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Your alcohol addiction is caused by your addiction to another substance.

Participant Groups

The study tests if adding monetary incentives for staying sober, verified through a remote breathalyzer connected to a smartphone app, can improve treatment outcomes and reduce relapse after inpatient detox compared to usual outpatient treatments.

5Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Active Comparator: Group A (Intensive incentives)Active Control1 Intervention

Group A will have the opportunity to earn payments based on the results of their breathalyzer screens. Participants will receive a compliance incentive per submitted sample regardless of the results, but will also have the opportunity to earn more incentives for providing negative results. For the first 3 weeks, these additional incentives will scale based on the number of consecutive days of sustained negative samples. For the remaining weeks incentives will be based on a randomized "prize" drawing.

Group II: No Intervention: Group E (no incentives)Active Control1 Intervention

Group E will have no monitoring intervention, they will only complete assessment sessions.

Group III: Active Comparator: Group B (Prize-based incentives)Active Control1 Intervention

Group B will have the opportunity to earn payments based on the results of their breathalyzer screens. Participants will receive a compliance incentive per submitted sample regardless of the results, but will only have the opportunity to earn more incentives based on a randomized "prize" drawing if they submit a negative sample.

Group IV: Sham Comparator: Group C (Intensive incentives)Placebo Group1 Intervention

Group C serves as a direct control group to Group A and will follow the same incentive procedures, however participants will receive incentives regardless of the results of their samples.

Group V: Sham Comparator: Group D (Price-based incentives)Placebo Group1 Intervention

Group D serves as a direct control group to Group B and will follow the same incentive procedures, however participants will receive incentives regardless of the results of their samples.

Contingency management is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Contingency Management for: