Alcohol for Alcohol Consumption

Overseen By Kasey G. Creswell, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Carnegie Mellon University

Must not be taking: Alcohol-interacting medications

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Alcohol problems, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

504 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how alcohol affects romantic relationships. Couples will drink either an alcoholic or a non-alcoholic beverage, then complete tasks and surveys about their habits and relationship dynamics. The goal is to understand how drinking impacts relationships and to inform strategies for healthier interactions. Couples who regularly drink alcohol and have a smartphone might be a good fit for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers couples the opportunity to contribute to valuable research on relationship dynamics and alcohol consumption.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are taking medications that could negatively interact with alcohol.

What prior data suggests that alcohol consumption is safe for participants in this study?

Research has shown that no amount of alcohol is completely without risk. Even small amounts can pose some risks. Drinking alcohol, even in moderation, can affect health by increasing the risk of certain diseases. In this study, participants will likely consume alcohol in controlled, moderate amounts.

The safety of alcohol consumption depends on the quantity and frequency of drinking. This trial involves healthy couples who already drink alcohol, suggesting the study is designed around their usual drinking habits, keeping it within safe limits. While moderate drinking carries low risk, the risk increases with higher consumption. Prospective participants should know that the study likely involves drinking amounts similar to their usual daily intake. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a unique approach to understanding alcohol consumption by examining the social dynamics involved when healthy young adult couples drink together. Unlike traditional studies that focus on alcohol consumption as an individual behavior or target only the negative effects of excessive drinking, this trial aims to uncover how shared drinking experiences might influence consumption patterns and behaviors. By focusing on couples, researchers hope to gain insights into the social and relational factors that affect drinking habits, which could lead to more effective strategies for promoting healthy alcohol use among young adults.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for understanding alcohol use in relationships?

This study will explore how alcohol affects couples' dynamics and communication. Studies have shown that alcohol can influence emotions, coordination, and behavior. Short-term effects, such as slurred speech and slower reactions, might impact interpersonal interactions. Research indicates that alcohol can also alter feelings and behaviors within relationships. Although alcohol is not a treatment, understanding its impact could aid in developing healthier relationship strategies. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The DYAD study is for young adult couples interested in understanding how alcohol affects their relationship dynamics. Participants must be willing to consume alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages and complete tasks, surveys on their smartphones, and follow-up sessions at 6 and 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria

Both members of the couple must own a smartphone

Both members of the couple must regularly consume alcohol

My partner and I are both between 21 and 30 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Neither member of the couple has a history of adverse reaction to the amount of beverage used in the study

Neither member of the couple has a history of major problems related to alcohol

Neither member of the couple is pregnant

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Laboratory Session

Couples participate in a lab session where they consume either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage and complete questionnaires and tasks

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Ecological Momentary Assessment

Participants complete brief surveys on their smartphones to assess alcohol consumption and experiences

14 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for drinking patterns and relationship factors at 6-month and 12-month follow-up sessions

12 months

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Alcohol beverage
• Non-alcohol beverage

Trial Overview

This trial investigates the impact of alcohol consumption within romantic relationships. Couples are randomly given either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage and then observed during various study tasks. They will report on drinking habits, experiences related to alcohol use, and relationship factors over a year.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Healthy couples who drink alcohol Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Healthy young adult couples who regularly drink alcohol

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Carnegie Mellon University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

80

Recruited

540,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Moderate or social drinking, while often considered safe, carries inherent health risks and psychosocial consequences that are not solely determined by the amount of alcohol consumed.

The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interactions of various factors that influence the risks associated with alcohol consumption, suggesting that a multidimensional model can aid in early intervention and prevention strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social drinking as a health and psychosocial risk factor. Anstie's limit revisited. Babor, TF., Kranzler, HR., Lauerman, RJ.[2019]

Citations

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Risks: Alcohol misuse

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health.gov.au

health.gov.au/topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/what-are-the-effects-of-alcohol?language=en

What are the effects of alcohol? | Australian Government ...

Short-term effects · slurred speech · impaired balance, coordination, vision and reflexes · unstable emotions · nausea and vomiting.

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Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits

Drinking alcohol in any amount carries a health risk. While the risk is low for moderate intake, the risk goes up as the amount you drink goes up.

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There is no form of alcohol consumption that is risk-free. Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry some risks and can cause harm.

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niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics

Alcohol Facts and Statistics

Find up-to-date statistics on lifetime drinking, past-year drinking, past-month drinking, binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking.

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med.stanford.edu

med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/alcohol-consumption-and-your-health--what-the-science-says.html

Alcohol consumption and your health: What the science says

The more alcohol consumed, the greater the risk of cancer, but the risks start with any alcohol consumption.