Behavioral Economic and Wellness-based Approaches for Reducing Alcohol Use and Consequences Among Diverse Non-Student Emerging Adults: Study Protocol for Project BLUE, a Randomized Controlled Trial

TL;DR

This study tests two brief alcohol interventions to reduce drinking and related problems among non-student emerging adults.

Contribution

The study introduces wellness-based approaches combining behavioral economics with relaxation and goal-setting activities for alcohol risk reduction.

Findings

Participants in BAI+SFAS and RT+SFAS groups are expected to show greater reductions in alcohol use than the education control group.

Outcomes will be measured over 12 months to assess long-term effectiveness of the interventions.

The study includes diverse non-student emerging adults, addressing a high-risk but understudied population.

Abstract

Emerging adults (EAs) who are not 4-year college students nor graduates are at elevated risk for lifetime alcohol use disorder, comorbid drug use, and mental health symptoms, compared to college graduates. There is a need for tailored brief alcohol intervention (BAI) approaches to reduce alcohol risk and to facilitate healthy development in this high-risk population. Most BAIs include a single session focused on discussing risks associated with drinking and correcting normative beliefs about drinking rates. EAs may benefit from additional elements that enhance general wellness. The Substance-Free Activity Session (SFAS) aims to clarify life goals and values and increase goal-directed activities that provide alternatives to alcohol use, and the Relaxation Training (RT) session teaches relaxation and stress reduction skills.

The present study is a randomized 3-group (BAI+SFAS vs. RT+SFAS vs. education control) trial with 525 EAs (175 per group; estimated 50% women & 50% African American) who report recent risky drinking and who are not students or graduates of 4-year colleges. Participants will have the option of completing the intervention sessions in person or via a secure video teleconference. Levels of drinking and alcohol-related problems will be evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12-months post-intervention. The primary hypothesis is that both BAI+SFAS and RT+SFAS participants will report significantly greater reductions in alcohol use and problems relative to education control participants, with no differences in outcomes between the two active treatment conditions.

The results of this study will inform alcohol prevention efforts for high-risk community dwelling emerging adults.

NCT04776278

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