Stress Reduction for Alcohol and Cannabis Use

(BARS Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By P. Priscilla Lui, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Washington

Disqualifiers: Alcohol use disorder, Cannabis use disorder, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

456 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop 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 alcohol and cannabis use, so it's best to ask the research team for more details.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for stress reduction related to alcohol and cannabis use?

Research suggests that experiences of discrimination and stressful life events are linked to increased use of substances like alcohol and cannabis as coping mechanisms. Addressing these stressors through targeted treatments may help reduce substance use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does this stress reduction treatment for alcohol and cannabis use differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on stress reduction as a way to address alcohol and cannabis use, potentially targeting the underlying stressors like race-based discrimination that may lead to substance use. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus directly on reducing substance use, this approach aims to manage the stress that can drive the use of alcohol and cannabis. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Alcohol and cannabis are the most misused psychoactive substances in the United States, and their misuse among African American young adults has the potential to be especially problematic. The proposed research examines how daily and racial stressors (e.g., racism and discrimination) may lead to alcohol and cannabis use among African American young adults, and what individual and community coping and resources mitigate this causal effect. This research is designed to identify possible targets for culturally responsive prevention and treatment efforts to help prevent and reduce alcohol and cannabis use among African American young adults.

Research Team

P. Priscilla Lui, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Eligibility Criteria

This study is for Black, African American, or Afro-Caribbean young adults who speak English and have used alcohol or cannabis at least four times in the past month to cope with stress. It's not for those already in similar studies, showing signs of a substance use disorder, or currently seeking treatment for such disorders.

Inclusion Criteria

Identify as Black, African American, or Afro-Caribbean

Proficient in English

Alcohol and/or cannabis use at least 4 times in the past month

Exclusion Criteria

Having participated in similar studies by the research team

Obtain cut-off scores on measures indicating possible alcohol and/or cannabis use disorder

In or seeking treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use disorder

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo simulated experiences of discrimination or daily hassles

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for alcohol and cannabis cravings and intoxication

2 days

Remote monitoring

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Daily Hassles
• Direct Discrimination
• Vicarious Discrimination

Trial Overview The study looks into how daily life stressors and racial discrimination affect alcohol and cannabis use among participants. It aims to find coping strategies that could help prevent misuse and inform culturally sensitive prevention programs.

Participant Groups

Group I: Vicarious Discrimination Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Simulated experience with indirect incidents of differential treatment as recalled by another Black person

Group II: Direct Discrimination Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Simulated experience with direct incidents of everyday differential treatment that targets the participant's racial and ethnic background

Group III: Non-Racism Daily Hassles Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Simulated stress-inducing experience in day-to-day lives appropriate for participant's age and educational/vocational backgrounds

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,858

Recruited

2,023,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 1,833 Black men, those who experienced major discrimination were more likely to use marijuana, indicating a potential coping mechanism for dealing with stress from discrimination (OR: 1.19).

Interestingly, men who used marijuana almost every day reported a decreased risk of experiencing major discrimination, suggesting that frequent use may help mitigate the effects of such stressors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Association Between Marijuana Usage and Discrimination Among Adult Black Men. Parker, LJ., Benjamin, T., Archibald, P., et al.[2022]

In a study of 501 adults experiencing homelessness, higher numbers of stressful life events were linked to increased use of substances like cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as a higher likelihood of screening positive for substance use disorder (SUD).

Everyday discrimination was found to be associated with cannabis use specifically, but its impact was less significant compared to the effects of stressful life events on overall substance use and SUD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relations between discrimination, stressful life events, and substance use among adults experiencing homelessness. Alexander, AC., Waring, JJC., Olurotimi, O., et al.[2023]

In a nationally representative sample of African Americans and Black Caribbeans, increased everyday discrimination was linked to higher odds of developing alcohol (OR = 1.02) and drug use disorders (OR = 1.02).

Major discrimination events also correlated with increased risk for substance use disorders, with each additional event raising the odds of alcohol use disorders (OR = 1.10) and drug use disorders (OR = 1.15).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceived discrimination and DSM-IV-based alcohol and illicit drug use disorders. Hunte, HE., Barry, AE.[2022]

In a study of 270 Black undergraduates who drink alcohol, those who also used cannabis reported heavier drinking and more alcohol-related problems compared to those who only consumed alcohol.

The findings suggest that experiencing more race-based microaggressions may lead to increased alcohol-cannabis dual use as a coping mechanism, highlighting the need for targeted interventions for this demographic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol and cannabis dual use among Black adults: Associations with alcohol use, use-related problems, and race-based discrimination. Buckner, JD., Zvolensky, MJ., Scherzer, CR.[2023]

In a study of 505 young adults from diverse backgrounds, African Americans and Hispanics reported higher levels of perceived discrimination compared to Whites, which was linked to increased substance use behaviors.

Both perceived discrimination and exposure to tobacco and alcohol marketing independently increased the likelihood of substance use, with a significant interaction showing that high tobacco marketing exposure heightened cigarette use, especially among those experiencing higher discrimination.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, marketing, and substance use among young adults. Rose, SW., Mayo, A., Ganz, O., et al.[2022]

A study of 177 incarcerated African American men in Kentucky found that higher levels of cultural race-related stress were significantly associated with increased years of regular cannabis use, indicating that stress from racial discrimination may drive substance use in this population.

These results suggest the need for culturally tailored substance abuse treatment programs that address the unique stressors faced by African American men, particularly as they reintegrate into the community after incarceration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cultural race-related stress and cannabis use among incarcerated African American men. Dogan, JN., Thrasher, S., Thorpe, SY., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 50 sexual and gender minority individuals over two weeks, experiences of discrimination were linked to increased negative mood and decreased positive mood.

Cannabis use appeared to buffer the negative mood effects of discrimination, as users reported feeling less anxious and depressed, and more relaxed and happy in the hours following discriminatory experiences compared to non-users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Real-time associations between discrimination, cannabis use, and mood among sexual and gender minority individuals. Newberger, NG., Hinds, Z., Mahoney, CT., et al.[2022]

References

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

The Association Between Marijuana Usage and Discrimination Among Adult Black Men. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relations between discrimination, stressful life events, and substance use among adults experiencing homelessness. [2023]

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

Perceived discrimination and DSM-IV-based alcohol and illicit drug use disorders. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol and cannabis dual use among Black adults: Associations with alcohol use, use-related problems, and race-based discrimination. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, marketing, and substance use among young adults. [2022]

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

Cultural race-related stress and cannabis use among incarcerated African American men. [2022]

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

Real-time associations between discrimination, cannabis use, and mood among sexual and gender minority individuals. [2022]