Pink Cloud App for Addiction

Overseen By Joseph LaBrie, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Loyola Marymount University

Disqualifiers: Under 18, No smartphone, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 6 months

1410 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an app called Pink Cloud, designed to assist individuals recovering from substance or alcohol use. The app provides tools such as a sobriety counter and access to 12-Step meetings to support sobriety. Participants will either use the app or browse a recovery website and report their progress. Ideal participants have a history of drug or alcohol use but are not currently using and are not in treatment. The goal is to determine if the app helps individuals maintain sobriety longer and engage more in recovery activities compared to the website. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative recovery solutions.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It only mentions that you should not have used alcohol or drugs (except tobacco or prescribed medication) in the past couple of days.

What prior data suggests that the Pink Cloud app is safe for supporting recovery from substance and alcohol use disorders?

Research has shown that the Pink Cloud app aids individuals recovering from substance and alcohol use disorders. The app connects users to a vast network of 12-Step meetings and offers tools like a sobriety counter and a daily planner. As a digital tool, it lacks the health risks or side effects associated with medications or physical treatments.

No direct studies or reports have indicated negative effects from using the app. However, awareness of "pink cloud syndrome" is important. This syndrome involves a feeling of extreme happiness some experience early in recovery. While the app's name may evoke this, its purpose is to support recovery management, not to induce this feeling.

In summary, the Pink Cloud app is generally considered safe as it serves as a supportive digital tool rather than a medical treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Pink Cloud App because it uniquely integrates technology with addiction recovery. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on in-person meetings and therapy, this app leverages mobile technology to provide 24/7 support, offering tools for self-monitoring and promoting engagement with 12-Step recovery principles. This flexibility allows individuals to tailor the app to their personal recovery journey, potentially enhancing accessibility and adherence compared to standard approaches. Additionally, the app's digital format makes it easier for people to access support whenever and wherever they need it, which is a significant advantage over more conventional resources.

What evidence suggests that the Pink Cloud app is effective for supporting recovery from substance and alcohol use disorders?

Research has shown that digital tools like the Pink Cloud app, which participants in this trial may receive, can support recovery from substance use disorders by offering ongoing help. The app provides access to over 245,000 12-Step meetings, which play a crucial role in maintaining sobriety. Studies have found that regular use of recovery tools leads to more sober days and fewer substance use issues. Additionally, the app helps users track their progress and connect with others who are sober, strengthening their recovery. While more detailed data is still being collected, the app is designed to support and enhance traditional recovery methods. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals in recovery from substance and alcohol use disorders. Participants should be willing to use a mobile app as part of their recovery process and commit to follow-up assessments over a 6-month period. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to meet diagnostic criteria for SUD/AUD.

Inclusion Criteria

Participant does not have a plan to enter substance and/or alcohol treatment in the next 30 days

Informed consent is provided

Participant owns a personal smartphone with cellular service

Exclusion Criteria

Informed consent is not provided

Participant does not own a personal smartphone with cellular service

Participant is not a permanent resident of the United States

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to receive either access to the Pink Cloud app or a control condition, integrating the app or resources into their recovery efforts

6 months

Follow-up

Participants complete follow-up assessments to evaluate sobriety status, social network changes, and engagement in recovery activities

6 months

Assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pink Cloud Application

Trial Overview The Pink Cloud mobile application is being tested against an active control condition in this study. The app offers tools like meeting finders, sobriety tracking, and daily planning aimed at supporting sobriety. Over 1,400 participants will be randomly assigned to either the app or control group and followed up with for half a year.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Pink Cloud Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive access to a mobile application designed to support ongoing recovery from substance and alcohol use disorders. The app includes tools that promote engagement with 12-Step recovery principles and offer self-monitoring features. Participants can integrate the app into their recovery efforts as they see fit throughout the study period.

Group II: Active Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive access to a website containing curated recovery-related materials. These resources are intended to offer general support for individuals in recovery, without emphasizing any specific program or approach. Participants are free to explore and use the content as they choose.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Loyola Marymount University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

9

Recruited

8,800+

Citations

1. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/LOD2tHPsm0uV95g2mjqEjA/project-details/11006659

Project Details With an estimated market of 60 million people, the potential impact of Pink Cloud in transforming SUD/AUD treatment is immense, presenting a significant ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-substance-use-6-2025-d6e84

Pink Cloud App for Addiction The investigators hypothesize that participants in the Pink Cloud group will report more days sober and fewer substance use problems than those in the control ...

3. therecoveryvillage.com therecoveryvillage.com/recovery/relapse/pink-cloud-syndrome/

Pink Cloud Syndrome - Relapse - The Recovery Village Pink cloud syndrome is when a person feels exhilarated or overjoyed during their first stages of recovery from a substance use disorder.

4. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9267078

A Tailored Physical Activity Smartphone App for Patients ... PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: We expect that this project will lead to the development of a novel, PA app tailored to patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/321271317_The_Pink_Cloud_Can_Technology_Curb_Addiction

“The Pink Cloud”: Can Technology Curb Addiction In the US alone, >2.4 million people suffer from opioid use disorder. Government and pharmaceutical agencies have begun to address this ...

6. samhsa.gov samhsa.gov/

Home | SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health ... SAMHSA leads efforts to advance behavioral health across the U.S., offering resources for mental health, substance use, and community well-being.

7. safeharborrecovery.com safeharborrecovery.com/blog/pink-cloud-syndrome/

How Pink Clouds Can Be Problematic for Recovery Pink cloud syndrome can hinder long-term recovery. Learn about its dangers and how to stay grounded in your journey to lasting sobriety.

8. charliehealth.com charliehealth.com/post/pink-cloud

What is Pink Cloud Syndrome? Learn about pink cloud syndrome in early recovery, including its signs, and how to maintain long-lasting recovery beyond the pink cloud ...

9. youtube.com youtube.com/watch?v=YrobTKvdSRs

Understanding Pink Cloud Syndrome in Recovery ... Pink Cloud syndrome refers to the feeling of exhilaration or Joy during the initial stages of recovery from a substance use disorder.