Overview

Alcohol misuse is one of the most common risk factors for health problems and premature death among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Although there are effective treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD), there is still a need to further improve their effectiveness and make them easier to access. Early research suggests that alcohol-specific inhibition training, when used in addition to specialized treatment, can improve treatment outcomes. This training aims to strengthen inhibition specifically in situations related to alcohol. The goal of this project is to offer this training for the first time in the form of a smartphone app, which is expected to increase the availability of the training. The main aim of the study is to evaluate whether this new app-based cognitive training is feasible as an add-on to the treatment of AUD in adolescents and young adults. In addition, the study will gather initial insights into whether the training affects drinking behavior and related brain processes. The project will be conducted as a double-blind, clinical pilot study. A total of 210 adolescents and young adults between 14 and 27 years old will be recruited from five specialized treatment centers. After the first study visit, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) an intervention group receiving the alcohol-specific inhibition training or (2) a control group receiving a similar alcohol-nonspecific inhibition training. During their participation, all participants will complete six short training sessions with the app. About one month later, they will complete six additional booster training sessions. This research may help develop effective, easily accessible tools to support young people with alcohol use disorder.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 14 - 27 years
• Alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) ≥ 8
• Alcohol use disorder scale (AUD-S) ≥ 2
• Currently undergoing outpatient treatment or online counselling in one of 5 specialized treatment settings
• Sufficient German language skills
• Informed Consent as documented by signature
• Owner of a smartphone with internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other severe substance use (except nicotine and cannabis) determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the drug use disorder identification test (DUDIT)
• Current medical conditions excluding participation
• Inability to read and understand the participant's information
• Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees, and other dependent persons

Additional exclusion criteria for Electroencephalography (EEG)-substudy:

• Current medication affecting EEG (e.g., benzodiazepines)
• Other severe substance use determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the DUDIT (except nicotine)
• History of epilepsy