Can text messages help cancer survivors stop drinking?

NCT ID NCT05570851

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Northwell Health Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This pilot study tested whether tailored text messages could help head and neck cancer survivors stop drinking alcohol, which is a major risk factor for cancer recurrence. 126 survivors from a hospital and a VA medical center were randomly assigned to receive either the text message program or standard advice. The study measured how many people quit drinking after 3 and 6 months, and whether the approach was acceptable and feasible for a larger trial.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: tailored text messages promoting alcohol cessation
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a simple, scalable way to help head and neck cancer survivors quit alcohol and lower their risk of cancer recurrence.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study (126 people) testing feasibility, not effectiveness. Results may not apply to all survivors, and self-reported drinking may be inaccurate.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alcohol Drinking Depression head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms Social Isolation substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALCOHOL USE, UNSPECIFIED HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research

Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States

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