Phone-Based rewards could help curb alcohol abuse, early study suggests

NCT ID NCT04656925

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Washington State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early study tested a smartphone app that rewards people for staying sober. Participants submitted breath samples three times a day to prove they hadn't been drinking. The goal was to see if this approach is practical and helps people with alcohol use disorder. Only 12 people took part, so the results are very preliminary.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: contingency management (behavioral intervention using rewards for abstinence)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a scalable, smartphone-based tool to help people reduce or stop drinking.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early-phase study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The approach relies on frequent self-testing and may not work for everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Washington State University

Spokane, Washington, 99202, United States

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