Chatbot Intervention for Alcoholism

Overseen By Alex M Russell, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Psychosis, Alcohol treatment, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new approach to help young adults reduce alcohol use through a chatbot. The goal is to develop a more engaging and personalized tool using a language model, similar to ChatGPT, to deliver brief interventions. This method could simplify access to support and help individuals reduce their drinking. Participants should be young adults who have engaged in heavy drinking in the past month and can read English at a basic level. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to more accessible support for reducing alcohol use.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It would be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that this chatbot intervention is safe for emerging adults?

Studies have shown that chatbots using advanced language models for alcohol counseling are safe and well-liked by young adults. These chatbots can provide personalized and interactive support, potentially reducing alcohol use. However, some reviews highlight the need for more information on the accuracy and reliability of these chatbots. It is important to recognize that some AI tools might unintentionally increase stigma around conditions like alcohol dependence. Overall, these chatbots appear to be a promising and generally safe option for assisting young adults with alcohol issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for alcoholism, which often involve medication and in-person therapy, the large language model-based chatbot offers a novel approach by delivering a brief alcohol intervention through a digital platform. This chatbot is unique because it leverages advanced AI technology to provide personalized, accessible support anytime, anywhere, without the need for scheduled appointments. Researchers are excited about this treatment's potential to reach a wider audience, reduce barriers to seeking help, and provide immediate, tailored feedback, which could enhance engagement and effectiveness in managing alcoholism.

What evidence suggests that this chatbot intervention is effective for reducing alcohol use?

Research has shown that chatbots using advanced language technology can assist with alcohol issues. One study found these chatbots safe and well-received by young adults seeking help. Another study demonstrated that these chatbots can motivate people to change their drinking habits. Although promising, experts believe they might not match the effectiveness of human therapists. However, their interactive and personalized style could appeal to young adults, potentially encouraging more people to reduce their alcohol use. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alex M Russell, PhD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for emerging adults aged 18-29 in America who may be showing patterns of drinking associated with alcohol use disorder. The trial aims to engage those typically reluctant to seek traditional treatments.

Inclusion Criteria

Engaged in past-month hazardous drinking (consuming ≥ 5/4 drinks for men/women on two or more occasions in the past month) or exceeded recommended guidelines for risky drinking (> 14/7 drinks per week for men/women)

Able to read and comprehend English at a 5th grade level

I am between 18 and 29 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability or unwillingness to identify an emergency contact who could be contacted in case the participant becomes lost to follow-up

History of or active psychosis

Previous or current engagement in alcohol or drug treatment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Development and Validation

Development and validation of the LLM-based chatbot for brief alcohol intervention

Not specified

Intervention

Participants engage in brief alcohol intervention sessions with the LLM-based chatbot

Immediate post-intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after intervention

1 month

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Large Language Model-based Chatbot

Trial Overview The intervention being tested is a chatbot based on a large language model, designed for brief alcohol interventions. It's meant to offer personalized and interactive support, aiming to reduce alcohol use among participants.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Large language model-based chatbot brief alcohol intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will interact with a large language model-based chatbot designed to deliver a brief alcohol intervention session.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07214831

NCT07214831 | A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of a ... This study will develop, validate, and conduct an open trial of an LLM-based chatbot-delivered brief intervention designed to reduce alcohol use ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871625001504

Development and preliminary testing of a secure large ... This study provides preliminary evidence that LLM-based chatbots can deliver MI-adherent alcohol interventions that are both acceptable to young adults and ...

3. recoveryanswers.org recoveryanswers.org/research-post/prompting-change-promise-ai-chatbot-alcohol-counseling-young-adults/

Prompting change: The promise of an AI chatbot for alcohol ... For individuals and families seeking recovery: This study found that a large language model (LLM)-based chatbot for alcohol counseling was safe, highly ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11420135/

A systematic review of chatbot-assisted interventions for ... This study systematically reviewed research on the utilization of chatbot-related technologies for the prevention, assessment, and treatment ...

5. hai.stanford.edu hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care

Exploring the Dangers of AI in Mental Health Care | Stanford HAI A new Stanford study reveals that AI therapy chatbots may not only lack effectiveness compared to human therapists but could also contribute to harmful stigma.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41199127/

A Scoping Review of Large Language Model Chatbot Use ... The current review suggests gaps in knowledge remain in the areas of accuracy, user safety, readability, evidence base and quality of LLM ...

7. news.stanford.edu news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/ai-mental-health-care-tools-dangers-risks

New study warns of risks in AI mental health tools Across different chatbots, the AI showed increased stigma toward conditions such as alcohol dependence and schizophrenia compared to conditions ...

8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40334327/

Development and preliminary testing of a secure ... - PubMed This study provides preliminary evidence that LLM-based chatbots can deliver MI-adherent alcohol interventions that are both acceptable to young adults and ...