Reward yourself to drink less: simple trick tested in new trial
NCT ID NCT07686276
First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a simple psychological trick—rewarding yourself each week you successfully cut back on alcohol—helps people drink less. Adults in the UK who regularly drink 14 or more units of alcohol per week will be randomly assigned to either make a plan to reduce drinking or to also set a weekly self-reward for success. Alcohol consumption is measured after one week and one month.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- self-incentive (behavioural intervention)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to help people reduce hazardous drinking without medication.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with self-reported outcomes, so results may not be reliable or generalizable. The effect may be small or short-lived.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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228 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2026
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or over * Able to understand written English * Competent to provide informed consent * Residing in the UK * Regularly consuming 14 units of alcohol or more at baseline Exclusion Criteria: * Note aged 18 years old or over * Not able to understand written English * Not competent to provide informed consent * Not residing in the UK * Not regularly consuming 14 units of alcohol or more at baseline
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Lancaster University
Lancaster, United Kingdom
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