Online Support for Alcoholism After Liver Transplant

(ILTARP Trial)

Overseen By Leigh Anne Leigh Anne Dageforde, MD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Leigh Anne Dageforde

Disqualifiers: Non-alcohol liver disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 12 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests new methods to support individuals with alcohol use disorder after a liver transplant. It aims to determine if working with a recovery coach and using an online community can aid in maintaining sobriety. Participants will either work solely with a recovery coach or also use an online sober community app. This trial suits those who had a liver transplant within the last five years due to alcohol-related issues and have a smartphone for communication. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative support methods for sustaining sobriety.

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's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that using a recovery coach and an online sober active community is safe for individuals after a liver transplant?

Research has shown that online support can safely and effectively assist individuals with alcohol use disorder. One study found that a personalized online program for alcohol use disorder achieved a high completion rate, with over 70% of participants finishing the program and only 10% continuing to drink alcohol regularly. The study reported no deaths or serious health problems related to the program.

Additionally, combined methods to reduce alcohol use resulted in a small improvement, with a 9.7% decrease in alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that online sober communities are generally well-received and do not pose major safety concerns for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about exploring online support for alcoholism after liver transplant because it offers a unique, digital approach to recovery. Unlike traditional methods that primarily rely on in-person counseling or support groups, this treatment includes access to an online sober active community, allowing participants to engage with peers and resources anytime, anywhere. This digital platform can offer continuous support and motivation, potentially enhancing recovery by integrating seamlessly into daily life. Additionally, the use of a recovery coach for weekly phone calls ensures personalized guidance, combining human interaction with digital tools to support sustained sobriety.

What evidence suggests that using a recovery coach and an online sober active community is effective for alcohol use disorder after liver transplant?

This trial compares two approaches for supporting recovery from alcohol use disorder after a liver transplant. Participants in the intervention arm will access an online sober active community, which studies have shown can aid recovery. Early research on similar online programs shows promising results: over 70% of participants complete the program, and only 10% continue to use alcohol. These programs have not reported any deaths or problems with the transplanted liver, suggesting that being part of an online community can support recovery by providing a sense of belonging and encouragement. Meanwhile, participants in both the intervention and control arms will work with a recovery coach, who offers regular guidance and check-ins, which has been found to help maintain sobriety. Together, these approaches can support individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder after a liver transplant. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who have had a liver transplant and are recovering from alcohol use disorder. They should be willing to work with a recovery coach, attend quarterly clinic visits, and complete surveys. Participants may also need to engage with an online sober community if they're assigned to that group.

Inclusion Criteria

History of alcohol use disorder

Has a smart phone to use for contact with recovery coach and the digital sober active community without additional personal cost

Willing to participate in online digital community

Exclusion Criteria

Liver transplant recipient for reason other than alcohol associated liver disease

No mechanism for regular phone contact

No ability to utilize an application for a digital sober active community

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants work with a recovery coach and have weekly phone calls. They visit the clinic every 3 months for checkups and surveys. Intervention arm participants also access an online sober active community.

12 months

4 visits (in-person), weekly phone calls

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of alcohol use, cravings, and engagement in recovery resources.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Online Sober Active Community
• Recovery coach

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of using a recovery coach along with access to an online sober active community in supporting patients' recovery from alcohol use disorder after liver transplantation. It compares standard care plus a recovery coach against this combined approach.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The participants in the intervention arm will work with a recovery coach and have weekly phone calls with the recovery coach. They will also have access to an online sober active community that they can use to augment their recovery process. They will visit the clinic every 3 months for an in-person visit and to complete survey measures related to the study.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

The participants in the control arm will work with a recovery coach and have weekly phone calls with the recovery coach. They will visit the clinic every 3 months for an in-person visit and to complete survey measures related to the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Leigh Anne Dageforde

Lead Sponsor

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07214259

Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery After Liver ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if it is feasible and acceptable to use a recovery coach and an online sober active community to ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11273277/

A tailored virtual program for alcohol use disorder ... We show early data of 42 patients (five cohorts) with >70% completion rate, 10% rate of sustained alcohol use, and no deaths or graft dysfunction with up to 2.6 ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7373982/

Alcohol use disorder and liver transplant - PubMed Central - NIH Patients transplanted because of ALD usually show a satisfying overall outcome, comparable to the other main aetiologies [19,104,105]. Patient survival rates ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/transplantation/articles/10.3389/frtra.2025.1577086/full

Perceptions of alcohol use disorder support among liver ... We aim to analyze post-LT patients' perceptions of the transplant clinic, local community resources, desired supports and barriers for AUD recovery resources.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1600613522080765

Alcohol Transforms Liver Transplantation: Arbitrary criteria ... A survey sent to transplant centers in 2014 revealed that 43% of responding programs required a specific period of abstinence prior to transplant, and 26% of ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542454821001570

Factors Having an Impact on Relapse and Survival in ... At 5 years, 16.3% and 8.2% had relapsed to any alcohol use and to high-dose drinking, respectively. Smoking during the 6 months before transplant was associated ...

7. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ctr.15381

A Tailored Virtual Program for Alcohol Use Disorder ... We show early data of 42 patients (five cohorts) with >70% completion rate, 10% rate of sustained alcohol use, and no deaths or graft ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11927654/

Outcomes for Early Liver Transplantation for Alcohol- ... In our single-center experience, almost 80% of all patients with AUD did not return to harmful drinking, and 68% remained completely abstinent ...

9. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/60/6/agaf066/8315068

Integrated approaches to reduce alcohol use in people with ... Nine full-length manuscripts were included in a quantitative analysis, which showed a 9.7% risk difference (95% CI: 5.9–13.4) in any alcohol use ...