Behavioral Strategies for Alcohol Consumption

Overseen By Alison Looby, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wyoming

Disqualifiers: Substance use treatment, Age, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if setting personal goals can increase the use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) to make drinking safer and more positive. Researchers seek to understand whether more frequent use of PBS can reduce alcohol consumption and its negative effects while enhancing positive experiences. Participants will be divided into three groups: one will receive basic PBS information, another will select PBS strategies, and the last group will set goals alongside PBS strategies. Individuals aged 18-25 who drink at least once a week may find this study suitable. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could improve personal well-being and promote safer drinking habits.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on behavioral strategies for alcohol consumption, so it's best to check with the trial organizers for specific guidance.

What prior data suggests that these behavioral strategies are safe for reducing alcohol consumption?

Research has shown that Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) are safe for use. These strategies include actions that help reduce risky drinking and its harmful effects. Studies have found that PBS use can lead to less heavy drinking and fewer negative alcohol-related outcomes.

Users of PBS report fewer alcohol-related problems, indicating good tolerance of these strategies. They involve planning and setting limits on drinking, which helps reduce risks.

Overall, PBS has proven both safe and effective in lowering alcohol-related harms. Participants in previous studies did not report significant negative effects from using these strategies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these behavioral strategies for alcohol consumption because they offer personalized approaches to managing drinking habits. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on abstinence or medication, these strategies empower individuals to actively choose protective behavioral strategies (PBS) that suit them best. The PBS+Goals approach is particularly promising as it combines PBS with goal-setting, allowing participants to set specific objectives and reminders, which can enhance motivation and commitment. This level of customization and active participation distinguishes these strategies from conventional methods, potentially leading to more sustainable behavior change.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing alcohol consumption?

Research shows that Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) can help reduce risky and binge drinking. These strategies involve specific actions people can take before, during, or after drinking to stay safe. Studies have found that PBS can decrease alcohol use and its negative effects, such as blackouts, particularly in young adults. While some research suggests PBS works better for certain individuals, they generally offer a promising way to reduce alcohol-related harm. In this trial, one group will receive PBS-only, while another group will receive PBS combined with goal-setting. Early findings suggest that combining PBS with personal goal-setting might enhance these positive outcomes. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for college students who consume alcohol and are interested in learning strategies to minimize harm. Participants should be willing to use protective behavioral strategies (PBS) and set personal goals related to their drinking habits.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

Must report engaging in alcohol use at least one time per week over the past two weeks, on average

Exclusion Criteria

Reports currently receiving or having received treatment for their alcohol or other substance use during the past two months

Does not report having engaged in alcohol use at least one time per week over the past two weeks, on average

I am either younger than 18 or older than 25 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline measures on PBS use, alcohol use, and consequences, and receive psychoeducation on PBS

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Intervention

Participants in PBS-only and PBS+Goals conditions select PBS strategies and reminder strategies; PBS+Goals participants also set goals

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants complete follow-up measures on PBS use, alcohol use, and consequences, and assess goal achievement

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Protective Behavioral Strategies

Trial Overview Researchers are testing if teaching students about PBS, along with setting specific goals, can increase the use of these strategies and reduce alcohol intake. The study compares three groups: one gets only PBS info, another adds goal-setting, and a control group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PBS+Goals Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants complete measures at baseline and follow-up, receive psychoeducation about PBS and goal-setting, select three PBS strategies, select two goals related to each PBS strategy chosen, and select a reminder strategy.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants complete measures at baseline and follow-up, and receive psychoeducation on PBS.

Group III: PBS-only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants complete measures at baseline and follow-up, receive psychoeducation about PBS, select three PBS strategies, and select a reminder strategy.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wyoming

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

1,600+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10826455/

Alcohol protective behavioral strategies for young adults This study examined alcohol PBS young adults suggest using across drinking contexts and gender to inform alcohol-related harm reduction interventions.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460325001388

Planning limits or inhibiting risky alcohol consumption? ... Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) are cognitive-behavioral strategies that are promising to reduce risky alcohol consumption and binge drinking (BD) among ...

3. recoveryanswers.org recoveryanswers.org/research-post/strategies-reduce-alcohol-harms-more-effective-for-some-mental-health-focus/

Strategies to reduce alcohol harms may be more effective ... Some research indicates that protective behavioral strategies can be effective in reducing alcohol use and related consequences, yet it is not clear that these ...

4. hecaod.osu.edu hecaod.osu.edu/serious-harm-reduction-protective-behavioral-strategies-reduce-consequences-associated-with-alcohol-induced-blackouts-in-college-students/

Serious harm reduction protective behavioral strategies ... As a preventive measure, previous research indicates that protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are effective in reducing alcohol consumption ...

5. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00952990.2023.2272035

Alcohol protective behavioral strategies for young adults This study examined alcohol PBS young adults suggest using across drinking contexts and gender to inform alcohol-related harm reduction interventions.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3809037/

Daily Use of Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol ... The purpose of the present study was to examine associations between use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) and alcohol-related outcomes.

7. hecaod.osu.edu hecaod.osu.edu/the-effects-of-protective-behavioral-strategies-on-heavy-drinking-following-a-pure-motivational-interviewing-intervention/

The Effects of Protective Behavioral Strategies on Heavy ... Results of the data analysis showed that students reported less heavy alcohol consumption in social settings and more use of PBS at 1-month ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3844112/

Use of Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies among ... Abstract. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are specific behaviors one can utilize to minimize the harmful consequences of alcohol consumption.

9. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826084.2022.2125275

Criterion Validity of Protective Behavioral Strategies for ... Findings suggest both measures of PBS are consistently predictive of alcohol outcomes among college drinkers, across multiple subpopulations.