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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand how stress influences alcohol and cannabis use and to find ways to prevent or reduce misuse. Participants will encounter various stress scenarios, such as direct discrimination (negative experiences from people), daily hassles (everyday stress from work or school), or vicarious discrimination (hearing about others' negative experiences). It suits individuals of Afro-descent who have used alcohol or cannabis a few times in the past month to cope with stress. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could lead to better stress management strategies.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that stress from everyday interactions can affect mental health and lead to increased substance use. One study found that direct mistreatment by others was linked to more substance use and mental health problems in some groups, but it did not identify any specific safety concerns related to these experiences.

Similarly, stress from witnessing or hearing about others' negative experiences can affect mood and increase cravings for substances like alcohol and cannabis. Another study found that this type of stress could worsen mood and increase cravings, yet it did not reveal any safety issues directly related to experiencing this stress.

In both cases, the research focuses on how these stressors can lead to more substance use. These studies provide no evidence that experiencing or witnessing these types of stress causes direct harm. This suggests that while stress can influence behavior, it does not pose a direct safety risk in terms of causing harm from the stress itself. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different types of stressors impact alcohol and cannabis use. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus on medication or therapy, this trial examines the effects of everyday stress, such as daily hassles, direct discrimination, and vicarious discrimination. By simulating these stress experiences, the trial aims to understand their direct impact on substance use, which could lead to more targeted and effective interventions. The hope is to uncover how specific interpersonal experiences influence behavior, potentially leading to innovative approaches in managing substance use through stress reduction.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing alcohol and cannabis use?

This trial will compare different types of stress experiences and their impact on alcohol and cannabis use. Research has shown that stress from personal experiences can influence substance use. Participants in the "Direct Interpersonal Exchange" arm will simulate a negative, personally relevant interpersonal experience received directly from a perpetrator. Meanwhile, those in the "Vicarious Interpersonal Exchange" arm will hear or observe a negative interpersonal experience reported by another person of the same background. Studies have found that stress from interactions with others can increase impulsivity and worsen mood, potentially leading to greater substance use. Even hearing about or witnessing others' difficult experiences can heighten cravings for alcohol and cannabis. Both direct stress and stress from others' experiences can drive substance use as a coping mechanism. This suggests that understanding and managing stress could help reduce reliance on alcohol and cannabis. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

P. Priscilla Lui, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Vicarious Interpersonal Exchange Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Hearing or observing a negative personally relevant interpersonal experience that is reported by another person of the same background

Group II: Direct Interpersonal Exchange Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Simulated a negative personally relevant interpersonal experience that is received directly from a perpetrator, commonly experienced in everyday lives

Group III: Daily Hassles Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Day-to-day stressors associated with school, work, finances

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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 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 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]

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 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 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]

Citations

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2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5056804/

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Cannabis use disorder and substance use treatment ... This study shows increased prevalence of cannabis use and CUD among U.S. adults, and with or without other substance use disorders, CUD was associated with ...

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a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cannabis Use ... This meta-analysis expands prior research by testing whether brief drug interventions (BDIs) delivered in general medical settings reduce cannabis consumption ...

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The role of resilience in the relationship between stress ... The majority of studies investigating the relationship of resilience to routine alcohol use have found that higher resilience is associated with reduced alcohol ...

6. shine.lab.uconn.edu shine.lab.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3321/2022/11/Scheer-et-al.-2022.pdf

Interpersonal victimization, substance use, and mental health ... Abstract. Reducing substance use and negative mental health outcomes of interpersonal victimization among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) represents ...

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Daily Stress, Drinking Motives and Alcohol Co-Use with ... We found that, relative to alcohol-only, alcohol and marijuana co-use was more likely, and non-alcohol related substance use was less likely, on weekends.

8. hecaod.osu.edu hecaod.osu.edu/relation-of-interpersonal-conflict-to-marijuana-and-alcohol-use-in-college-males/

Relation of interpersonal conflict to marijuana and alcohol ... Analysis of the data collected showed that drinking increased the chances of conflict occurring within the 1-4 hours after the drinking episode.

9. nam.edu nam.edu/perspectives/primary-secondary-and-tertiary-prevention-of-substance-use-disorders-through-socioecological-strategies/

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention of Substance ... The authors propose evidence-informed strategies and interventions across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention.