AAT for Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans

August 17, 2026 updated by: VA Office of Research and Development

Enhancing Treatment Outcomes Among Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder: Clinical and Neural Markers of Adjunctive Approach-avoidance Training

The proposed study will test a novel treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD) to determine if it helps Veterans reduce their hazardous drinking and recover from alcohol-related functional impairments across social, occupational, and domestic domains. To do so, the investigators will evaluate clinical, cognitive, and neural effects of a computer-delivered Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) treatment - which changes implicit tendencies to approach alcohol-related cues - in conjunction with standard VA care. The project will support RR&D's mission to improve Veterans' participation in their lives and community by determining if this innovative alternative technique can improve recovery outcomes for Veterans with AUD and exploring how the intervention works.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Veterans with alcohol use disorders (AUD) would be greatly served by development of effective interventions to address high relapse rates and difficulty with resuming optimal functional recovery (i.e., re-engaging in vocational, social, and daily life roles that are critical to maintaining alcohol consumption goals). Approach bias toward alcohol, an implicit motivational response to alcohol cues observable across behavioral and neural indicators, is a core feature of AUD that impedes recovery but is not routinely treated in standard care. Treatment options that target approach bias may improve outcomes by decreasing the appetitive pull of alcohol, so that individuals are better able to disengage from habitual drinking behaviors in the service of their functional goals and objectives. Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) is a computer-delivered treatment program that shifts behavioral and neural indicators of approach bias for alcohol and has been shown to improve drinking-related outcomes in AUD when used in conjunction with standard care. Given the promise of this intervention for AUD, there is a critical need to determine if this treatment can be successfully used for Veterans who commonly present with complex comorbidities, and to pinpoint cognitive and neurobiological processes of change. The overall objectives of this proposal are to determine whether Alcohol Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) improves recovery outcomes in Veterans undergoing standard care for AUD with co-occurring conditions, and to identify the underlying cognitive and neural substrates modified. The central hypothesis is that AAT training will improve critical recovery outcomes for Veterans and improve behavioral and neural indicators of approach bias. The investigators will explore whether effects of AAT generalize to related top-down and bottom-up neurocognitive processes. The investigators will also explore potential predictors of treatment response. The overall objectives will be addressed in a randomized controlled trial of 136 Veterans completing standard care in the local VA setting with either AAT or a control condition. Aim 1 will determine if repeatedly practicing avoidance of alcohol cues through AAT can improve recovery outcomes and hazardous drinking. Aim 2 will determine if AAT modifies approach bias by measuring this construct with multiple assessment methods (i.e., behavioral, Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)). Exploratory aims will examine if AAT modifies inhibition (top-down) and cue reactivity (bottom up) processing, and the extent to which baseline comorbidity severity, treatment engagement characteristics, or baseline approach bias (behavioral task reaction times, brain response during fMRI) are associated with clinical outcomes. The project is expected to determine if AAT shows clinical potential that would warrant expansion to other substances of abuse and a larger multisite confirmatory efficacy trial in Veterans with AUD. Results of the study will inform the utility of AAT as an adjunctive AUD treatment for Veterans, potentially offering a novel, low-cost, and portable alternative option to improve recovery in these individuals. Consistent with the RR&D mission to maximize "functional independence, quality of life and participation in their lives and community," the project will provide a foundation for neuroscience-based alternative therapeutic options to improve recovery in Veterans with AUD.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
176

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • San Diego, California, United States, 92161-0002
        • Recruiting
        • VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jessica A Bomyea, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • fluent in English
  • primary diagnosis of AUD with no more than 90 days abstinence from alcohol
  • 4-week stability if taking psychotropic medications

Exclusion Criteria:

  • lifetime history of psychotic or bipolar disorder
  • neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders
  • history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other known neurological condition
  • sensory deficits that would preclude completing tasks
  • suicidal or homicidal ideation within the past month necessitating urgent higher level care
  • concurrent individual psychotherapy or other treatment outside of standard DDRP programming
  • conditions unsafe for completing MRI scanning for those completing the scanning component only (e.g., metal in body)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Approach Avoidance Training
AAT condition, participants use a joystick to respond to the color of the border surrounding the stimulus images presented (i.e., "pull for green, push for blue"). The stimuli used are alcohol-related images and neutral beverage images. To experimentally manipulate automatic action tendencies, a contingency is set between alcohol stimuli and avoidance behaviors
Behavioral: Approach Avoidance Training
AAT condition, participants use a joystick to respond to the color of the border surrounding the stimulus images presented (i.e., "pull for green, push for blue"). The stimuli used are alcohol-related images and neutral beverage images. To experimentally manipulate automatic action tendencies, a contingency is set between alcohol stimuli and avoidance behaviors
Other Names:
  • AAT
Sham Comparator: Sham Training
In the Sham participants use a joystick to respond to the color of the border surrounding stimulus images presented. There is no contingency between instruction type and pictures (i.e., non-training version of the task)
Behavioral: Sham Training
In the Sham participants use a joystick to respond to the color of the border surrounding stimulus images presented. There is no contingency between instruction type and pictures (i.e., non-training version of the task)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in the Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
The DrInC assesses alcohol-related adverse functional consequences across physical (e.g., harmed physical health), interpersonal (e.g., loss of relationships), role responsibilities (e.g., missed work), psychological (e.g., loss of hobbies), and impulse control-related problems (e.g., legal problems) with higher scores indicating worse outcomes. Total scores range from 0 to 50.
Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in the Timeline Follow-back Procedure (TLFB)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
The TLFB evaluates drinking and all drug use during the 90 days preceding interviews. Percent heavy drinking days ranges from 0-100% with higher indicating more days.
Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
Change in Alcohol Approach Avoidance Behavioral Assessment (approach bias score)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6)
Participants must pull or push alcohol or neutral cues using a joystick. The outcome approach bias score is computed by subtracting each participant's mean response latency in the pull condition from his or her mean response latency in the corresponding push condition (e.g., alcohol-push minus alcohol-pull). Higher scores indicate higher approach bias.
Baseline, post (week 6)
Change in Alcohol Approach Avoidance Imaging Assessment (BOLD neural signal)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6)
Participants must pull or push alcohol or neutral cues using a joystick while undergoing functional MRI. The outcome is BOLD percent signal change to a contrast comparing alcohol to neutral beverage for push versus pull. Higher scores indicate higher percent signal change.
Baseline, post (week 6)

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
The SDS assesses functional impairment due to clinical symptoms across three domains: work/school, social functioning, and family life. Higher scores indicate higher functional impairment. Domain scores range from 0-10.
Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
Change in The Substance Use Recovery Evaluator (SURE)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
The SURE measures alcohol recovery along the following domains: substance use, material resources, self-care, relationships, and outlook on life. Higher scores indicate worse recovery outcomes. Total scores range from 21-63.
Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
Stages of Change Readiness and Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
The SOCRATES measures readiness to change drinking related behavior with higher scores indicating greater readiness to change.
Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)
Change in Alcohol Inhibition functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) task (BOLD neural signal)
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6)
Participants are shown an alcohol or neutral cue and must decide to respond or not respond as quickly as possible. The outcome is BOLD percent signal change to a contrast comparing inhibition versus non-inhibition trials. Higher scores indicate higher percent signal change.
Baseline, post (week 6)
Change in Alcohol Cue Reactivity functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) task
Time Frame: Baseline, post (week 6)
Participants passively view alcohol or neutral cues. The outcome is BOLD percent signal change to a contrast comparing alcohol cues to non-alcohol cue trials. Higher scores indicate higher percent signal change.
Baseline, post (week 6)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
VA Office of Research and Development

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jessica A Bomyea, PhD, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 3, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 9, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 9, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 12, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 19, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 17, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • D3793-R

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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