Approximately 1 out of every 3 adults experiencing homelessness has a current alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol use plays a central role in increased morbidity and mortality in this population, with some studies suggesting it plays a direct role in as many as 17% of deaths. Alcohol is also a leading cause of homelessness and contributes to its chronicity by inhibiting progress toward obtaining employment and a stable living environment. Shelter-based treatments are common, but compliance is often poor. There are many documented challenges to effectively implementing traditional evidence-based interventions in shelter settings. In the current project, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial. Adults currently experiencing homelessness who report hazardous alcohol use (N = 600) will be recruited from five shelters across the Dallas, TX and Oklahoma City, OK metropolitan areas. Individuals will attend screening and training visits, then complete one week of self-monitoring (via smartphone app) before being randomized to receive either standard shelter-based treatment (Usual Care; UC), or the Smart-T Alcohol intervention + UC. The Smart-T Alcohol intervention offers on-demand content and automated contextually tailored messages to reduce alcohol consumption. The intervention period will span eight-weeks (i.e., weeks 2-9), with follow-up assessments occurring at weeks 9, 13, and 26. All participants will complete brief daily smartphone-based surveys for 13 weeks. Aims of the project will be to assess the effects of the Smart-T Alcohol intervention on alcohol use and alcohol-related problems (Aim 1), intervention effects on key drinking risk indicators and their mediation of use outcomes (Aim 2), and identify specific subpopulations (e.g., women, racial/ethnic minorities, younger adults; Exploratory Aim 3) for which the intervention is most effective. Findings will provide a rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of the Smart-T Alcohol intervention and guide future smartphone-based interventions for this population.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Number of drinks per week
Timeframe: 13 weeks
Number of heavy drinking days
Timeframe: 13 weeks
Total number of drinking days
Timeframe: 13 weeks
Slopes of key drinking factors over time(e.g., urge, mood, alcohol availability, motivation)
Timeframe: 13 weeks