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NCT Number: NCT07071779

Web-based Alcohol- or Cocaine-specific Inhibition Training in Adolescents and Young Adults With Substance Use Disorder

Substance misuse is one of the most common risk factors for health problems and premature death among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Although there are effective treatments for substance use disorder (SUD), there is still a need to further improve their effectiveness and make them easier to access. Early research suggests that substance-specific inhibition training, when used in addition to specialized treatment, can improve treatment outcomes. This training aims to strengthen inhibition specifically in situations with substance-related cues. The goal of this project is to offer this training for the first time in the form of a smartphone app, which is expected to increase the availability of the training. The main aim of the study is to evaluate whether this new app-based cognitive training is feasible as an add-on to the treatment of SUD in adolescents and young adults. In addition, the study will gather preliminary insights into whether the training affects drinking behavior and related brain processes. The project will be conducted as a double-blind, clinical pilot study. A total of 210 adolescents and young adults between 14 and 35 years old will be recruited from five specialized treatment centers. After the first study visit, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) an intervention group receiving the alcohol-specific inhibition training or (2) a control group receiving a similar alcohol-nonspecific inhibition training. During their participation, all participants will complete six short training sessions with the app. About one month later, they will complete six additional booster training sessions. This research may help develop effective, easily accessible tools to support young people with substance use disorder.

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Key information

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Alcohol-Related Disorders Alcoholism Chemically-Induced Disorders Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) Mental Disorders Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

14 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Bern

Bern, Switzerland

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Kirstin Schuerch, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Maria Stein, PD Dr.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+41 31 684 54 12

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 14 - 35 years
  • Alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) ≥ 7 or Drug Use Identification Test (DUDIT) ≥ 8
  • Currently undergoing outpatient treatment or online counselling in one of 7 specialized treatment settings
  • Sufficient German language skills
  • Informed Consent as documented by signature
  • Owner of a smartphone with internet access

Exclusion criteria

  • Other severe substance use (except nicotine and cannabis) determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the drug use disorder identification test (DUDIT)
  • Current medical conditions excluding participation
  • Inability to read and understand the participant's information
  • Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees, and other dependent persons

Additional exclusion criteria for Electroencephalography (EEG)-substudy:

  • Current medication affecting EEG (e.g., benzodiazepines)
  • Other severe substance use determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the DUDIT (except nicotine)
  • History of epilepsy
  • Cochlea implant

Treatment and study plan

Substance-specific inhibition training

Other

Twelve sessions of substance-specific inhibition training

Control training

Other

Twelve sessions of unspecific inhibition training

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of participants recruited

    Time frame: From enrollment to the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks

    Number of participants recruited during the recruitment period in all participating clinical centers is one indicator of the feasibility of implementing substance-specific inhibition training in a smartphone app.

  2. Number of participants successfully completing the program

    Time frame: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrollment

    Number of participants successfully completing the program is one indicator of the feasibility of implementing substance-specific inhibition training in a smartphone app.

  3. Proportion of participants completing the follow-up visits

    Time frame: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment

    Proportion of participants completing the follow-up visits is another indicator of feasibility.

  4. Number of participants adhering to the treatment

    Time frame: From enrollment to last last training session, approx. 10 weeks

    Number of participants adhering to the treatment, i.e. participating in all planned twelve training sessions, is another indicator of feasibility of implementing substance-specific inhibition training in a smartphone app.

  5. Number of adverse events

    Time frame: From enrollment to the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks

    Number of adverse events is another indicator of feasibility of implementing substance-specific inhibition training in a smartphone app.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage of days abstinent

    Time frame: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment

    Percentage of days abstinent is the main secondary outcome indicating preliminary effects on consumption behavior. It is measured by the Timeline Follow-Back method at 3-month follow-up.

  2. Number of heavy drinking days

    Time frame: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment

    Number of heavy drinking days is another secondary outcome indicating preliminary effects on drinking behavior. It is measured by the Timeline Follow-Back method at 3-month follow-up.

  3. P3-component of event-related potentials

    Time frame: 4-6 weeks.

    The P3-component of event-related potentials measured with electroencephalography (EEG) is used as a secondary outcome in the EEG- substudy to investigate whether substance-specific inhibition training modifies the neurophysiology of substance-specific inhibition

  4. N2-component of event-related potentials

    Time frame: 4-6 weeks.

    The N2-component of event-related potentials measured with electroencephalography (EEG) is used as a secondary outcome in the EEG- substudy to investigate whether substance-specific inhibition training modifies the neurophysiology of substance-specific inhibition

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Maria Stein, PD Dr.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+41 31 684 54 12

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Bern

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Web-based Alcohol- or Cocaine Specific Inhibition Training in Adolescents and Young Adults With Substance Use Disorder

Acronym: WAIT-AYA

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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