Web-based Alcohol- or Cocaine-specific Inhibition Training in Adolescents and Young Adults With Substance Use Disorder

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

In brief

Substance 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 substance use disorder (SUD), there is still a need to further improve their effectiveness and make them easier to access. Early research suggests that substance-specific inhibition training, when used in addition to specialized treatment, can improve treatment outcomes. This training aims to strengthen inhibition specifically in situations with substance-related cues. 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 SUD in adolescents and young adults. In addition, the study will gather preliminary 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 35 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 substance use disorder.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07071779

Run by

University of Bern

People needed

210

Starts

2025-07-23

Expected to finish

2026-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-18

Who can join

Age: 14 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 14 - 35 years
• Alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) ≥ 7 or Drug Use Identification Test (DUDIT) ≥ 8
• Currently undergoing outpatient treatment or online counselling in one of 7 specialized treatment settings
• Sufficient German language skills
• Informed Consent as documented by signature
• Owner of a smartphone with internet access

You may not qualify if…

• 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
• Cochlea implant

Where it is running

• University of Bern — Bern, Switzerland (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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