Testing a Novel Instagram Intervention for Heavy Alcohol Use

Launched by EMILY GREKIN · May 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests whether an Instagram-based program can help reduce heavy drinking in young adults. In a randomized design, participants are assigned to either follow a study Instagram page with daily posts for 42 days (the intervention) or to continue with assessments only (control). Researchers will compare changes from before the program to about 10 weeks after starting to see if the intervention lowers how often people drink and how much they drink in the past month, as well as whether it reduces binge drinking episodes. They’ll also look at secondary effects like use of protective drinking strategies, mindfulness practices, readiness to change drinking, and participants’ opinions about the program.

Who can join? Adults aged 18–30 who drink heavily (binge drinking at least twice a month in the past three months) and who use Instagram regularly. The study is run by Wayne State University in Detroit and is currently enrolling by invitation, aiming to enroll about 80 participants. If you’re randomized to the Instagram group, you’d follow the study’s pages and see daily posts for 42 days; if you’re in the control group, you’d complete the study assessments but wouldn’t receive the Instagram content. Results will be reported after the 10-week follow-up.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Ages 18-30
• • Report regular Instagram usage (i.e., at least a few times a week)
• • Report having met the NIAAA's criteria for a binge-drinking episode (4+ drinks in a sitting for cisgender women, 5+ drinks in a sitting for all other genders) at least twice a month for the past three month
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • No exclusion criteria