Technology-based Intervention for Substance Abuse

(HousingSUD Trial)

Overseen By David R Smith, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Research Behavioral Intervention Strategies, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Under 18, 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 technology-based treatment designed to assist people in supportive housing who struggle with substance use. The goal is to determine if this solution is user-friendly, well-received, and effective in improving residents' stability and knowledge. Participants will access videos and practice skills to reduce harm from substance use, with incentives for completing sessions. It suits anyone living in supportive housing who has faced substance use issues in the past or present. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance support for individuals in similar situations.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

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 this technology-based intervention is safe?

Research has shown that digital tools and technology-based methods for reducing substance use are generally safe. One study found that these digital tools helped people reduce substance use without major safety concerns. Another review found that these methods were as effective as traditional treatments and often better than receiving no help at all.

To date, there have been no significant reports of harm or negative effects from using these digital treatments. This indicates that these methods are considered safe and well-tolerated for individuals seeking to reduce substance use. Overall, research suggests that these interventions are a safe option for those interested in trying them. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the technology-based intervention for substance abuse because it offers a fresh approach by integrating technology with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on in-person counseling or medication, this intervention provides flexibility and accessibility through a digital platform, making it easier for participants to engage with the therapy. Additionally, the inclusion of financial incentives encourages consistent participation and practice, which can enhance treatment outcomes. By focusing on harm reduction and practical skills application, this intervention aims to empower individuals with the tools they need to manage substance use effectively within their daily lives.

What evidence suggests that this technology-based intervention is effective for substance abuse?

Research has shown that technology-based treatments can assist with substance use problems. In this trial, all participants will receive a technology-based intervention, including digital cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of talk therapy) to reduce alcohol use and enhance understanding of substance use. Studies indicate that these digital methods can be as effective as traditional ones, with the added benefit of greater accessibility. Specifically, one study found that an online program greatly improved participants' knowledge and confidence in managing substance use. Overall, evidence suggests that using technology to support recovery can be a helpful tool for many people. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

David R Smith, PhD

Principal Investigator

Oregon Research Behavioral Intervention Strategies, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals living in permanent supportive housing who are dealing with substance use disorders. Participants should be interested in using a technology-based solution to improve their knowledge and stability.

Inclusion Criteria

Residents must be a past or current resident in a supportive housing community

Residents must have a past or current elevated substance use

Staff must be staff at partner agency

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a technology-based solution with 10 sessions of harm reduction focused cognitive behavioral skills and 20 skills practice sessions.

2 weeks

Sessions conducted while participants are housed within permanent supportive housing

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for behavioral intentions, knowledge, and self-efficacy related to the skills learned from the intervention.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Technology-based Intervention

Trial Overview The study is testing a community-defined, technology-based intervention designed to educate residents about substance use disorder. It includes two weeks of content like videos, with incentives for completion. There's no comparison group; all participants will receive the intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will be assigned to the intervention, which includes exposure to the technology-based solution while participants are housed within permanent supportive housing. It is anticipated that the intervention will deliver a total of 10 sessions of harm reduction focused cognitive behavioral skills and skills applications. A total of 20 skills practice sessions are also included. Financial incentives are provided up to $50 for completion of sessions and skills practice.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Research Behavioral Intervention Strategies, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

21

Recruited

8,600+

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/PMC3825739/

Technology-Based Interventions for the Treatment & Recovery ... Behavioral therapies for substance use disorders have been shown to have robust effects in their own regard and to enhance outcomes when combined with effective ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1233888/full

Digital interventions targeting excessive substance use ... Digital cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol has been shown to be effective in comparison with minimal control intervention (g = 0.20: 95% ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2023/1/e40157/

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention for Preventing ... The study results indicated that the web-based intervention significantly increased participants' knowledge and self-efficacy in substance use ...

4. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-024-01433-7

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis TBIs are effective in reducing substance use in EA/CS, with outcomes comparable to non-technology interventions and advantages over no treatment and standard ...

5. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638237.2023.2245902

Full article: The effectiveness of digital health technologies ... Digital interventions showed small, but statistically significant reductions in weekly alcohol consumption compared to controls (SMD= −0.12, 95% CI= −0.17 to − ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12456661/

A systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC TBIs are effective in reducing substance use in EA/CS, with outcomes comparable to non-technology interventions and advantages over no ...

7. jmir.org jmir.org/2024/1/e53685/

Technology-Based Interventions for Substance Use ... Technology-based interventions (TBIs) for substance use treatment show promise in reducing barriers to evidence-based treatment, yet no studies ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772598724000291

Digital interventions for alcohol use disorders: A narrative ... This narrative review aimed to summarize recent evidence on the use of digital interventions for AUD, and to critically assess the promise and pitfalls of ...

9. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08897077.2022.2060425

Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance ... The results demonstrate that use of a DT safely increased abstinence (reduced substance use) and retention in treatment among patients with substance use ...

10. substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13011-023-00518-1

Digital interventions for substance use disorders in young ... The most common designated outcome was a change in behaviour (33/39). Most early interventions (24/28) and nearly all treatment interventions (4 ...