Real-world Experiences of Alcohol and Cognitions Over Time

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Aug 27, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how alcohol affects attention in young adults, particularly during real-life situations. Researchers want to see if tasks done on a phone can accurately show how alcohol impacts a person's ability to focus and whether this decrease in attention might lead to risky behaviors. Participants will complete attention tests before and after drinking a standard amount of alcohol in a lab, and they'll also answer questions through a phone app over eight weekends.

To join the study, you need to be between 21 and 25 years old, drink alcohol at least twice a week, and have had at least one heavy drinking episode in the past month. You should also have an iPhone, be able to read and understand English, and be willing to follow the study instructions. However, people with a history of alcohol treatment, certain medical conditions, or who are pregnant or nursing cannot participate. If you qualify and decide to join, you'll help researchers learn more about how alcohol affects young adults’ attention in everyday life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • aged 21-25
• • drink at least 2x/week in the past month
• • at least 1 past-month heavy episodic drinking event (4+/5+ standard drinks in a day for females/males)
• • have an iPhone
• • able to read and understand English
• • willing to complete all study procedures
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • history of alcohol-related treatment or hospitalization
• • medical contraindications for alcohol consumption (e.g., contraindicated medication, major psychiatric illness, history of seizure, gastric bypass surgery, cardiac pacemaker, major illness such as liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, past traumatic brain injury, asthma exacerbated by alcohol use, consistent flushing response to alcohol use) or pregnancy, nursing an infant, or plans to become pregnant in the next 8 weeks (i.e., during the EMA monitoring period)
• • substantial visual impairment or color blindness (given that cognitive tasks rely on visual cues)