ASSIST Program for Reducing Binge Drinking

Overseen By Anna Jaffe, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Washington

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

600 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the ASSIST treatment for reducing binge drinking?

Research shows that college students, especially those in fraternities or sororities, are at high risk for binge drinking, suggesting that targeted prevention programs like ASSIST could be beneficial. Additionally, web-based interventions that include strategies to reduce drinking and improve emotional regulation have shown initial success in reducing heavy drinking among college women with a history of sexual assault, indicating that similar approaches might be effective in the ASSIST program. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the ASSIST Program for Reducing Binge Drinking safe for participants?

The research does not provide specific safety data for the ASSIST Program, but similar peer-led alcohol harm-reduction programs have been implemented without reported safety concerns. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How is the ASSIST treatment different from other treatments for binge drinking?

The ASSIST treatment is unique because it specifically targets sorority members and uses a peer-led approach to address binge drinking, focusing on the social dynamics within sororities. This approach is different from other treatments that may not consider the specific social environment and peer influences present in Greek life. ^{1 6 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the ASSIST (Alcohol-focused Support of Survivors in Sororities Training) intervention in sorority chapters. ASSIST is a newly developed web-based intervention to increase peer support of sexual assault survivors and reduce encouragement of drinking to cope within social networks of sororities. To test whether the intervention is feasible and shows preliminary signs of working, a pilot cluster randomized trial will be conducted. Sorority chapters will be recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention condition or an assessment-only condition. Individuals within each sorority will be recruited and complete a norm documentation survey. One month later, participants will complete a baseline survey, and if assigned to the intervention condition, will then receive the web-based ASSIST intervention, which will include normative feedback on values and drinking, psychoeducation about sexual assault recovery and the role of alcohol, and skills training in behaviors that can be used to support survivors without or while moderating heavy drinking. All participants will complete online follow-up surveys at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-intervention.

Research Team

Anna Jaffe

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for sorority members. It aims to evaluate a web-based program designed to support sexual assault survivors and discourage drinking as a coping strategy within sororities. Participants must be in a sorority, willing to complete several surveys over six months, and have access to the internet.

Inclusion Criteria

Greek organization of undergraduate women recognized by the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life with a physical house for chapter members

At least 80 active members

Current student

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a norm documentation survey and a baseline survey

4 weeks

Online surveys

Intervention

Participants in the intervention condition receive the web-based ASSIST intervention, including normative feedback, psychoeducation, and skills training

Immediate post-baseline

Online intervention

Follow-up

Participants complete online follow-up surveys to assess social support, perceived helpfulness, alcohol-related consequences, and alcohol use

6 months

Online surveys at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-intervention

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Alcohol-focused Support of Survivors in Sororities Training (ASSIST)

Trial Overview The ASSIST intervention is being tested for its feasibility and effectiveness in promoting peer support and reducing harmful drinking behaviors. Sororities are randomly chosen either for this new online training or just assessments without any additional training.

Participant Groups

Group I: ASSIST Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive online survey assessments as well as the behavioral intervention, ASSIST.

Group II: Assessment-Only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will only receive online survey assessments.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,858

Recruited

2,023,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 308 college freshmen, 21% were identified as at high risk for problem drinking based on the CAGE questionnaire, and 29% based on the Perceived-Benefit-of-Drinking Scale, indicating a significant prevalence of risky drinking behaviors among this population.

The intent to join a fraternity or sorority was linked to higher rates of frequent drinking and binge drinking, suggesting that social affiliations may influence drinking behaviors and highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs in these groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Problem drinking among college freshmen. Werner, MJ., Greene, JW.[2019]

A web-based alcohol intervention for college women with sexual assault histories (N = 200) led to significant short-term reductions in drinking and PTSD symptoms, as well as improvements in emotional regulation skills.

While the intervention showed effectiveness immediately after treatment and at the 1-month follow-up, these benefits were not maintained by the 6-month follow-up, indicating a need for ongoing support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial efficacy of a web-based alcohol and emotion regulation intervention for college women with sexual assault histories. Stappenbeck, CA., Gulati, NK., Jaffe, AE., et al.[2023]

In a study of 189 trauma patients with positive blood alcohol levels, 60.8% received brief alcohol intervention services, indicating a significant portion of patients did not receive this potentially beneficial treatment.

Patients who did not receive interventions often had shorter hospital stays or persistent cognitive impairments, suggesting that improving service delivery could involve adapting interventions for follow-up care and ensuring staffing flexibility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining the reach of a brief alcohol intervention service in routine practice at a level 1 trauma center. Turner, BJ., McCann, BS., Dunn, CW., et al.[2018]

The drinking reduction program significantly decreased drinking motivation and problematic drinking behaviors among 58 college students with problematic drinking habits, as shown by statistical analyses (F values all < .001).

Participants also demonstrated increased self-efficacy in refusing drinks, indicating that the program effectively enhanced their ability to make autonomous choices regarding alcohol consumption.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effectiveness of Drinking Reduction Program Focused on Self-Determination Enhancement for College Students with Problematic Drinking]. Ma, JK., Yoo, MS.[2021]

The adaptive preventive intervention (API) significantly reduced alcohol-related consequences among heavy drinkers, with an estimated 25% reduction in negative outcomes if all participants had fully engaged in the program.

Factors such as precollege binge drinking and social motives influenced engagement levels in the API, indicating that targeted strategies may be needed to improve participation among at-risk students.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining engagement effects in an adaptive preventive intervention for college student drinking. Patrick, ME., Sur, A., Arterberry, B., et al.[2023]

The 'Voice of Reason' (VOR) program significantly improved alcohol knowledge and protective behavioral strategies among 118 students directly trained, leading to reduced drinking and driving behaviors.

The program also positively influenced affiliated Greek chapter students, increasing awareness of medical amnesty laws and decreasing typical alcohol consumption, suggesting a broader impact beyond just those trained.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer-Led Training to Reduce Alcohol Misuse and Related Harm among Greek-Affiliated Students. Abadi, MH., Shamblen, SR., Thompson, KT., et al.[2021]

A survey of 3,406 fraternity members revealed that 97% were drinkers, with 86% engaging in binge drinking and 64% as frequent binge drinkers, indicating a high prevalence of risky drinking behaviors.

The average reported alcohol consumption was 81 drinks over 10.5 days, with an average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10, suggesting that these fraternity members may engage in heavier drinking than previously documented, highlighting the need for targeted preventive interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-risk drinking among college fraternity members: a national perspective. Caudill, BD., Crosse, SB., Campbell, B., et al.[2007]

A study involving 730 college students over seven semesters found that attending alcohol-free programming, like LateNight Penn State (LNPS), is associated with reduced alcohol and illegal substance use on weekends.

Students under 21 years old showed the greatest reduction in substance use on days they attended LNPS, suggesting that such campus-led initiatives can effectively serve as harm reduction strategies for younger college students.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is Alcohol and Other Substance Use Reduced When College Students Attend Alcohol-Free Programs? Evidence from a Measurement Burst Design Before and After Legal Drinking Age. Layland, EK., Calhoun, BH., Russell, MA., et al.[2020]

Peer counselors (N=12) facilitating alcohol interventions did not change their own drinking behaviors or perceptions, despite their role in helping others reduce alcohol consumption.

The clients receiving interventions significantly reduced their drinking, indicating that the effectiveness of the intervention may rely more on the counselors' guidance rather than their personal drinking habits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do As I Say, Not As I Do. Logan, DE., Mastroleo, NR., Wood, MD., et al.[2019]

A meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 6,026 college students from Greek letter organizations found that existing alcohol interventions were generally ineffective in significantly reducing overall alcohol consumption and related problems compared to control groups.

However, some interventions did lead to reductions in the amount consumed on specific occasions and the number of drinking days, particularly those that addressed alcohol expectancies and provided moderation strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol Interventions for Greek Letter Organizations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 1987 to 2014. Scott-Sheldon, LA., Carey, KB., Kaiser, TS., et al.[2020]

A two-hour group intervention tailored for college women who violated alcohol policies led to a significant reduction in alcohol consumption by 29.9% and negative consequences by 35.87% over a 12-week follow-up period.

The intervention was particularly effective for heavy drinkers, indicating that it can successfully initiate positive changes in those at the highest risk for alcohol-related issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A group Motivational Interviewing intervention reduces drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences in adjudicated college women. LaBrie, JW., Thompson, AD., Huchting, K., et al.[2018]

The study successfully engaged 97 young women in a group intervention aimed at reducing binge drinking, with a high retention rate of 87% at follow-up after four months.

The intervention, which included fun activities and group goal-setting, was well-received and showed promise in helping participants make actionable plans to reduce their alcohol consumption, indicating its potential effectiveness for a larger randomized controlled trial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design and feasibility testing of a novel group intervention for young women who binge drink in groups. Irvine, L., Crombie, IK., Swanson, V., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Problem drinking among college freshmen. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial efficacy of a web-based alcohol and emotion regulation intervention for college women with sexual assault histories. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining the reach of a brief alcohol intervention service in routine practice at a level 1 trauma center. [2018]

4. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effectiveness of Drinking Reduction Program Focused on Self-Determination Enhancement for College Students with Problematic Drinking]. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining engagement effects in an adaptive preventive intervention for college student drinking. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer-Led Training to Reduce Alcohol Misuse and Related Harm among Greek-Affiliated Students. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-risk drinking among college fraternity members: a national perspective. [2007]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is Alcohol and Other Substance Use Reduced When College Students Attend Alcohol-Free Programs? Evidence from a Measurement Burst Design Before and After Legal Drinking Age. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do As I Say, Not As I Do. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol Interventions for Greek Letter Organizations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 1987 to 2014. [2020]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A group Motivational Interviewing intervention reduces drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences in adjudicated college women. [2018]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design and feasibility testing of a novel group intervention for young women who binge drink in groups. [2023]