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Efficacy of a Smartphone-Based JITAI to Reduce Drinking Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Efficacy of a Smartphone-Based Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention to Reduce Drinking Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* At least 18 years old
* 8 or above on the AUDIT
* Receiving shelter-based services
* Consuming 1 or more standard drink of alcohol in the past week
* Score of 4 or higher on the REALM-SF
* Score under 8 on the 6CIT

Exclusion Criteria:

* Under 18 years old
* Not meeting other inclusion criteria

About the study

Approximately 1 out of every 3 adults experiencing homelessness has a current alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol use plays a central role in increased morbidity and mortality in this population, with some studies suggesting it plays a direct role in as many as 17% of deaths. Alcohol is also a leading cause of homelessness and contributes to its chronicity by inhibiting progress toward obtaining employment and a stable living environment. Shelter-based treatments are common, but compliance is often poor. There are many documented challenges to effectively implementing traditional evidence-based interventions in shelter settings. In the current project, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial. Adults currently experiencing homelessness who report hazardous alcohol use (N = 600) will be recruited from five shelters across the Dallas, TX and Oklahoma City, OK metropolitan areas. Individuals will attend screening and training visits, then complete one week of self-monitoring (via smartphone app) before being randomized to receive either standard shelter-based treatment (Usual Care; UC), or the Smart-T Alcohol intervention + UC. The Smart-T Alcohol intervention offers on-demand content and automated contextually tailored messages to reduce alcohol consumption. The intervention period will span eight-weeks (i.e., weeks 2-9), with follow-up assessments occurring at weeks 9, 13, and 26. All participants will complete brief daily smartphone-based surveys for 13 weeks. Aims of the project will be to assess the effects of the Smart-T Alcohol intervention on alcohol use and alcohol-related problems (Aim 1), intervention effects on key drinking risk indicators and their mediation of use outcomes (Aim 2), and identify specific subpopulations (e.g., women, racial/ethnic minorities, younger adults; Exploratory Aim 3) for which the intervention is most effective. Findings will provide a rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of the Smart-T Alcohol intervention and guide future smartphone-based interventions for this population.

What is being tested

• Smart-T Alcohol (other)
• Usual Care (other)

Sponsor: University of Oklahoma · Participants: 600 · Started: Mar 5, 2025

Contact the study team

• Michael Businelle, PhD · Phone: 405-271-8001
• Krista Kezbers, PhD · Phone: 405-271-8001

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06821295

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.