Environment and Alcohol: A Pilot Study
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Summary
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease that causes more than 140,000 US deaths each year. AUD treatment often includes therapy and medication. Some people with AUD may also benefit from behavioral and lifestyle changes. Objective: To evaluate the effects of different activities and environments on drinking behaviors and mental health in people with AUD. Eligibility: People aged 21 years and older with AUD. Design: Participants will have up to 10 study visits in Baltimore. Participants will have a baseline visit. They will have a physical exam with blood and urine tests. They will have a breath test for alcohol and a test that measures body composition. They will answer questions about their alcohol and substance use; mental and physical health; mood and anxiety; and sleep quality. Participants will download an app called MetricWire. The app will send 3 sets of questions to be answered at different times throughout the day. The study visits will include 2 stages: 1. Active stage. On these visits, participants will use a virtual reality system called the Meta Quest Pro (MQP) as they choose. Then they may choose among video games, puzzles, books, crafts, and other activities.. These sessions will last for 3 hours. 2. Passive stage. On these visits, participants will watch videos selected by the research team. These sessions will last for 3 hours. On the last visit of each stage, participants will sit in a room that looks like a bar. They will answer questions about their cravings, their urge to drink, and how many drinks they would buy. Participants will be served 1 drink containing alcohol. They will be asked about their cravings and subjective effects of alcohol after drinking it.
Description
Study Description: This study will investigate the effects of cognitive and sensorimotor environmental enrichment (EE) on alcohol drinking, alcohol cue-reactivity, and other related outcomes in participants with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The hypothesis is that the psychological and physiological effects of environmental enrichment will confer therapeutic benefits for people with AUD, especially on measures of alcohol consumption and cue-elicited craving. Objectives: Primary Objectives: 1\. Evaluate the effects of EE on alcohol consumption Secondary Objectives: 1. Evaluate the effects o…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: To meet eligibility for this study, participants must meet all the following criteria: 1. At least 21 years old 2. Owns a cellular device ("smart phone") and is willing to download the EMA application and use it to answer the study questionnaires 3. Diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (minimum of 2 DSM-5 criteria on a valid diagnostic tool, e.g., Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) or the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID)) 4. Self-reported drinking, according to alcohol Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB), of \> 7 drinks per week for females…
Interventions
- BehavioralEvaluate the effects of Environmental Enrichment (EE) on alcohol consumption
This study investigates how different environments and activities affect alcohol consumption and related outcomes.
Location
- National Institute on Drug AbuseBaltimore, Maryland