Text-Based Messaging Strategies for Preventing Subsequent Problematic Alcohol Use

Part of paid clinical trials in San Antonio, Texas.

Sponsor
University of Virginia
Study ID
NCT06318975
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Binge Drinking
  • Text Messaging

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Brief Alcohol Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
    All Airmen will receive a standard BAI during the 4th week of Technical Training, the last week of enforced abstinence. The BAI is a group-based, one-hour session which includes the following components: Interactive discussion of the positives and negatives of drinking during training and heavy vs. moderate drinking; Discussion of USAF rules on alcohol use and penalties for violations; Discussion of impact of alcohol on military readiness; effects of alcohol and hangover on performance; Review of standard drinks, blood alcohol levels and tolerance; and normative feedback on the Airmen's drinking level compared to others. We will engage in a conversation about whether they have observed concerning patterns of alcohol misuse among other USAF personnel, and how to handle this, along with harm reduction and alcohol refusal strategies.
  • Automated and Targeted Text Messages — BEHAVIORAL
    All messages are pre-written, and their timing is pre-planned - All Airmen will start receiving 3-5 text messages per week starting the Monday after they received the Brief Alcohol Intervention and lasting for six weeks. The intervention is also targeted to age, with some messaging differing for Airmen less than 21 years and those already 21 years old or who will turn 21 during the intervention period. All Airmen randomized to the text message arm will be enroll into the supplemental program, and may opt out at any time. Messages reinforce content of the BAI and provide additional, actionable advice on reducing or avoiding alcohol in more detail and specificity than time typically allows for during the BAI. Messages are sent on days and at times that were indicated as being preferred during formative development of the intervention. Messages are designed to maintain or enhance skill building. No drinking behavior is collected as part of the text messaging intervention

Study Details

Binge drinking, and its health/social consequences are substantial public health concerns, with a high prevalence in young adults, especially in the US military. Alcohol consumption in the military is very high and normative, but there is zero tolerance for alcohol-related legal trouble, and Air Force Airmen who experience this (e.g., DUI, sexual assault) typically receive a disciplinary action referred to as an Alcohol Related Incident (ARI). Brief Alcohol Interventions (BAIs) for alcohol misuse are effective in young adults who report binge drinking. Many BAI studies targeted young adults who drink hazardously; these individuals are typically not interested in abstaining but may try decreasing the amount or change the manner in which they drink in order to reduce harmful consequences. The investigators previously published the results of a BAI group-based intervention that reduced ARIs in over 150,000 Airmen on average by 16%. Since 2010, the BAI has been disseminated to most USAF Airmen in Technical Training. However, it is clear additional research is needed to enhance the efficacy of the intervention and reduce risks associated with problem drinking. One strategy to improve health outcomes is well-timed, tailored, and automated text messages. Building on the researchers' preliminary study where text messages reduced driving after drinking as well as total drinks consumed before driving, text messaging may be highly effective when sent at the precise time that Airmen gain access to alcohol (the first time they are allowed off base), a standard time for all Technical Trainees. One challenge to conducting alcohol research in the military is the lack of privileged communication. As a result, it is difficult to obtain valid self-reports due to a tendency to deny or minimize use. The investigators recently developed and validated a method for collecting anonymous data over time. This will be the first study in the military, as well as the first large scale, adequately powered trial, where intervention effects will be tracked out to a 6-month follow-up. The study's Specific Aims are to randomize approximately 7000 Airmen to either the current BAI versus the BAI+Text messages timed to occur before, during, and after Airmen have access to alcohol; and to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention at the end of training and 6 months post-training using repeated surveys with unique identifiers allowing researchers to match surveys while maintaining anonymity.

Key Dates

Start date
Dec 1, 2023
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2027
Completion
Dec 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
7,000 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION

Arms

  • Placebo Comparator: Brief Alcohol Intervention
    Those assigned to the BAI condition receive the standard BAI, which we have conducted since 2010, during the 4th week of Technical Training, the last week of enforced abstinence. This BAI has become the de-facto standard of care and is part of USAF Training. The BAI is a group-based, one-hour session which includes the following components: Interactive discussion of the positives and negatives of drinking during training and heavy vs. moderate drinking; Discussion of USAF rules on alcohol use and penalties for violations; Discussion of impact of alcohol on military readiness; effects of alcohol and hangover on performance; Review of standard drinks, blood alcohol levels and tolerance; and normative feedback on the Airmen's drinking level compared to others. We will engage in a conversation about whether they have observed concerning patterns of alcohol misuse among other USAF personnel, and how to handle this, along with harm reduction and alcohol refusal strategies.
  • Experimental: BAI + Texting
    Those assigned to this arm will receive the same BAI as the other arm with the addition of automated text messages.

Primary Outcome Measure

NIAAA Single Alcohol Screening Question (SASQ) [ Time Frame: Baseline, 60 days, 6 months ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
JBSA LacklandSan AntonioTexas78236
Tina Boothe, MPH
[email protected]

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