Phone app and debit card help fight alcohol addiction in new study
NCT ID NCT04581499
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a smartphone-based program that uses rewards, coaching, and breathalyzer tests to help 236 adults with alcohol use disorder reduce drinking. Participants earned money for staying sober, tracked via breath tests and self-reports. The goal was to see if this digital approach improves abstinence and is cost-effective.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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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236 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2021
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Participants in the study must have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and: 1. Be \>18 years old 2. Meet the DSM-5 criteria for current (past year) AUD, or be recommended for care in the ASAM CO-Triage assessment 3. Have consumed at least one alcoholic beverage within the last 10 days, according to self-report 4. Speak English 5. Have an Android or iOS smartphone. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participants with current suicidal intent will be excluded as they require a higher level of care that cannot be provided by DynamiCare and our Recovery Coaches (hence, these individuals will be directly referred for clinical evaluation). 2. Participants with ASAM CO-Triage level needs higher than Level 3.1 (e.g., greater than community-based, working halfway house) and not receiving addiction treatment will be excluded because they require inpatient treatment. Once the participant has received treatment, Recovery Coaches will reach out again to re-enroll the participant in the study if the participant wishes
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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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DynamiCare Health
Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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