Motivational Conversation for Substance Use

Overseen By Edouard Coupet Jr., MD, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Suicidal, Cognitive impairment, Incarceration, Addiction treatment, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a brief conversation technique called the Brief Negotiation Interview intervention (BNI) to help young adults reduce alcohol and cannabis use after assault-related injuries. Researchers aim to determine if these conversations can boost confidence in making changes and how social circles influence substance use and assault risks. The trial includes two groups: one receives only referrals, while the other receives both the motivational conversation and referrals. Individuals aged 18 to 25 who speak English and misuse alcohol or cannabis after an assault may qualify for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how brief interventions can impact substance use and recovery.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It mainly focuses on alcohol and cannabis use.

What prior data suggests that this motivational conversation is safe for young adults?

Research has shown that the Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI) is safe and easy for individuals to manage. Studies have found that short talks like BNI can help reduce drug and alcohol use without causing harm. For instance, one study found that participants who received a BNI used fewer drugs than those who did not receive any intervention. Another study demonstrated that these short talks benefit young people who use substances but don't require specialized addiction treatment.

These studies have reported no serious side effects, suggesting that BNI is a safe choice for those wanting to reduce alcohol and cannabis use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI) intervention for substance use because it takes a unique approach by focusing on motivational conversations. Unlike standard treatments that might involve medication or lengthy therapy sessions, this method is all about having a personalized, short discussion aimed at boosting an individual's motivation to reduce alcohol and cannabis use. The goal is to encourage people to engage more actively with available addiction treatment resources, potentially leading to quicker and more personal intervention. This approach could offer a more accessible and immediate option for those seeking help.

What evidence suggests that the Brief Negotiation Interview intervention could be effective for substance use?

Research has shown that a Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI), which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce alcohol use in at-risk individuals when conducted in the emergency room. Studies have found that motivational interviewing techniques, like those in the BNI, lead to better outcomes for drug use. For young adults, the BNI has been linked to reduced substance use over time. This method focuses on increasing motivation and confidence to change harmful behaviors related to alcohol and cannabis use. While results for older adults are promising, the approach also benefits younger people, especially those recovering from injuries in assaults. Overall, the BNI serves as a helpful tool for promoting healthier lifestyle choices. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Edouard Coupet, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults who use alcohol or cannabis and have been assaulted. They must have visited the emergency department due to assault injuries and are currently using these substances. The study excludes individuals based on criteria not specified here.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

Aim 1: Report current alcohol and/or cannabis misuse

Exclusion Criteria

Aim 2 and 3: Currently engaged in addiction treatment

Aim 1: Be incarcerated or in police custody

Aim 1: Be actively suicidal or severely cognitively impaired precluding informed consent

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a brief motivational interview designed to increase motivation to reduce alcohol and/or cannabis use and engagement in treatment referral

Immediate (Day 0)

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for acceptability and feasibility of the intervention, including retention and recruitment metrics

30 days

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Brief Negotiation Interview intervention (BNI) (adapted)

Trial Overview The trial tests an adapted Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI) intervention, focusing on motivating participants to change their substance use behavior after experiencing assault-related injuries.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Brief Negotiation Interview intervention (BNI) (adapted) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the intervention arm will receive a brief motivational interview designed to increase motivation to reduce alcohol and/or cannabis use and engagement in treatment referral at 30-days. A referral includes a contact number to addiction treatment (primary care and/or specialty addiction care consistent with diagnostic criteria) and injury prevention services at the Yale Hospital Violence Intervention Program.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Control group will receive contact referrals only. A referral includes a contact number to addiction treatment (primary care and/or specialty addiction care consistent with diagnostic criteria) and injury prevention services at the Yale Hospital Violence Intervention Program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4870816/

Is the Quality of Brief Motivational Interventions for Drug ... The goal of this study was to examine whether the quality of motivational interviewing skills were related to drug use outcomes following two distinct ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2688115224003382

Use of a Brief Negotiation Interview in the emergency ... A Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI) performed in the emergency department (ED) can reduce future rates of alcohol use among older adults who are high‐risk ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4075470/

One-Year Outcomes and Mediators of a Brief Intervention ... The potential value of a brief intervention for drug abusing adolescents is discussed. Keywords: Adolescence, drug abuse, brief intervention ...

4. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e54486

Standard Versus Family-Based Screening, Brief ... This randomized effectiveness trial will advance research and scope on SBIRT-A in primary care by conducting a head-to-head test of 2 conceptually grounded, ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04982627

A Brief Negotiation Interview Chatbot to Improve ... Secondary outcomes include readiness and intention to engage in buprenorphine (bup) treatment, and urine toxicology test-confirmed drug use at four weeks among ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10772359/

Screening and brief intervention for lower-risk drug use in ... This study tested two brief interventions (BNI and MOTIV) for lower-risk drug use. Both interventions showed less drug use compared to control ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871620301666

Screening and brief intervention for lower-risk drug use in ... This pilot study tested the efficacy of two brief interventions (BIs) for drug use compared to no BI in primary care patients with lower-risk drug use ...

8. schoolhealthcenters.org schoolhealthcenters.org/resource/sbirt-quick-guides/brief-interventions/

SBIRT Quick Guide: Brief Interventions Brief interventions are structured conversations designed to address alcohol and/or drug use among youth who are using substances, but do not need specialty SUD ...