Narrative Writing for Alcohol Consumption
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether a writing exercise, known as the future possible self task (FPST), can help reduce risky drinking behaviors by altering self-perception related to alcohol. Participants will engage in different versions of this task, writing about their future selves in varying doses, to determine the most effective approach. The trial targets college seniors who have recently consumed alcohol and wish to reduce their intake. Researchers will follow participants for a year to monitor changes. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to explore personal growth and potentially reduce risky drinking behaviors through innovative self-reflection techniques.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on writing tasks and questionnaires related to alcohol use, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected.
What prior data suggests that the Future Possible Self Task (FPST) is safe for participants?
Research has shown that the Future Possible Self Task (FPST) is generally safe for participants. In one study, researchers closely monitored participants for safety concerns, such as thoughts of self-harm or harm to others, and found no major issues. This indicates that the task is usually well-tolerated. The FPST has also been applied in other contexts, demonstrating its ability to safely help people change their views on drinking habits.
The FPST involves writing exercises that are simple and low-risk. Participants write about their future selves, which is unlikely to cause physical harm. In summary, the FPST is considered safe, with very few negative effects reported.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Narrative Writing for Alcohol Consumption trial because it explores how reflecting on one's future self might influence drinking habits. Unlike standard treatments like medication or counseling, this approach uses narrative writing to help participants envision their most hoped-for or feared future self. This innovative technique could tap into personal motivation and goal setting in a way that traditional methods do not. By engaging with their future selves, participants might gain a more profound perspective on their current behaviors and make lasting changes.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing alcohol misuse?
Research has shown that the Future Possible Self Task (FPST), which participants in this trial will engage in, might help reduce alcohol consumption. One study found that similar activities involving future-oriented thinking led to a reduction of about 2.18 drinks per day. Although some studies did not find significant changes in drinking habits, the concept is that envisioning a future self who drinks less can alter one's self-perception as a drinker. This shift in self-view could be crucial during life transitions, such as finishing college. Early evidence suggests that these writing tasks might help reduce alcohol misuse.14678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Kristen Lindgren, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Washington
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for full-time college seniors (ages 18-25) at the University of Washington or University of Houston who plan to graduate soon, speak English fluently, have recently consumed alcohol, score high on a drinking risk test, are interested in cutting back on drinking, and can attend three online sessions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants complete the future possible self task (FPST) involving narrative writing about future selves, with variations in frequency and focus
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in drinking identity and alcohol misuse indicators
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Future Possible Self Task (FPST)
Trial Overview
The study tests different writing exercises about possible future selves—such as imagining your best or worst self after graduation—to see if they help reduce risky drinking behaviors. Participants are randomly assigned to various writing tasks and followed for one year.
How Is the Trial Designed?
8
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self one time (on the third session).
Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most feared future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most feared future self one time (on the third session).
Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self one time (on the third session).
Participants in this condition complete a task in which they think and write about a trip to the zoo weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Participants in this condition complete a task in which they think and write about a trip to the zoo one time (on the third session).
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Washington
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator
Citations
Protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact ...
The study will evaluate whether the FPST can reduce the typical increase in self-concept related to drinking (i.e., drinking identity) and accompanying ...
Writing about the future self to shift drinking identity
Contrary to predictions, narrative writing about a future self as a low-risk drinker did not significantly impact outcomes. Null results extended to expected ...
Future Thinking to Decrease Real-World Drinking in Alcohol ...
EFT significantly (p = .031) reduced alcohol consumption (mean change of consumption pre-post intervention = −2.18 drinks/day) compared to control episodic ...
Effectiveness of the guided self-change intervention for ...
Overall, GAC students demonstrated higher rates of alcohol consumption and lower levels of readiness to change at baseline. Both groups reduced ...
Narrative Writing for Alcohol Consumption
... Future Possible Self Task (FPST) will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Alcohol Consumption and Alcoholism. Learn more about the study.
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sites.lsa.umich.edu
sites.lsa.umich.edu/emotion-selfcontrol-psych/wp-content/uploads/sites/1322/2024/03/1-s2.0-S0741832923002823-main.pdfWriting about the future self to shift drinking identity
The principal investigator (redacted) reviewed task data weekly for any participant safety concerns (i.e., for any mention of possible harm to self or others).
Prospective Effects of Possible Selves on Alcohol ... - PMC - NIH
Adolescents who had many hoped-for possible selves in eighth grade had lower levels of alcohol consumption in ninth grade. This finding is similar to previous ...
The maladaptive alcohol self‐administration task: An ...
The present study proposes a novel maladaptive alcohol self-administration task in which animals are trained to withhold alcohol drinking in the presence of an ...
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