The current study will evaluate the efficacy of contingency management (i.e., reinforcement for avoiding heavy drinking) among adults arrested for drunk driving and who are at risk for ongoing heavy drinking.
Individuals who have a drunk driving arrest and are at risk for ongoing heavy drinking will be recruited to test the efficacy of contingency management for reducing alcohol use and identifying mechanisms of change. We will recruit those arrested for drunk driving offenses, ≥ 21 years of age, who at risk for ongoing heavy alcohol use and randomize them to one of two groups: control or a contingency management. Participants experience 8 weekly assessments of current alcohol use and other variables associated with changes in alcohol use. Post-intervention, participants will return to the laboratory once per month at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-study entry for follow-up procedures to determine the mechanisms of drinking behavior change.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
158
Incentive provided for changing alcohol drinking patterns based on ankle monitor
Incentive provided is not contingent on alcohol drinking patterns based on ankle monitor
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Percent heavy drinking days
Percent of days with estimated breath alcohol concentration .08% or higher or self-reported drinks \> 5 for men and \> 4 for women
Time frame: 8-weeks
Percent drinking days
Percent of days with any positive transdermal alcohol concentration \>.02 or any self-reported drinks
Time frame: 8-weeks
Follow-up percent heavy drinking days
Self-reported drinks \> 5 for men and \> 4 for women
Time frame: 12-months
Follow-up percent drinking days
Any self-reported drinks
Time frame: 12-months
Measurement of alcohol biomarker
Change in phosphatidylethanol (PEth) using an assay on a blood sample
Time frame: Baseline to 8-weeks
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