Examining the Relationship Between Ongoing Alcohol Use, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Related Constructs, and Behavioral Economic Decision-Making.

September 21, 2026 updated by: Mark J Rzeszutek, PhD

This study will evaluate the relationship between alcohol use, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and behavioral economic decision-making. Participants will complete surveys over approximately 12 weeks and will be randomly assigned to receive access to a self-guide computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT4CBT) program either immediately or after a waiting period. The study will compare participants with and without recent suicidal thoughts and behaviors to better understand factors associated with alcohol use and engagement with treatment.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized, 2x2 factorial study will enroll adults who drink alcohol regularly and are interested in reducing or stopping their alcohol use. Participants will complete four online assessments approximately four weeks apart over a 12 week study period. The assessments include questionnaires about alcohol use, suicidal thoughts and behaviors and behavioral economic decision-making.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive access to Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT) program either immediately after the baseline assessment or after the second follow-up assessment. The study will compare participants with and without recent suicidal thoughts and behaviors to evaluate differences in decision-making, alcohol use, and engagement with the CBT4CBT program. The results may improve understanding of factors related to alcohol use and suicide risk and help inform future interventions for individuals with alcohol use concerns.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

180

Phase

  • 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

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Consume alcohol at least weekly
  • Score of 8 or greater on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)
  • Some interest in cutting back on drinking or quitting
  • Read and understand English
  • Recent active/passion ideation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Score of 31 or greater on the AUDIT
  • Having unmanaged psychiatric diagnoses
  • Already being in treatment for alcohol use disorder at baseline
  • Past month substance use other than cannabis or tobacco

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: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Recent Suicidal Thoughts/Behaviors + Immediate CBT4CBT

Participants with recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors who receive immediate access to CBT4CBT.
Behavioral: CBT4CBT

Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT), a self-guided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program for alcohol use. Participants receive access either immediately following the baseline assessment or after the second follow-up assessment.
Active Comparator: Recent Suicidal Thoughts/Behaviors + Delayed CBT4CBT

Participants with recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors who receive delayed access to CBT4CBT after the second follow-up assessment.
Behavioral: CBT4CBT

Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT), a self-guided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program for alcohol use. Participants receive access either immediately following the baseline assessment or after the second follow-up assessment.
Experimental: No Recent Suicidal Thoughts/Behaviors + Immediate CBT4CBT

Participants without recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors who receive immediate access to CBT4CBT.
Behavioral: CBT4CBT

Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT), a self-guided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program for alcohol use. Participants receive access either immediately following the baseline assessment or after the second follow-up assessment.
Active Comparator: No Recent Suicidal Thoughts/Behaviors + Delayed CBT4CBT

Participants without recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors who receive delayed access to CBT4CBT after the second follow-up assessment.
Behavioral: CBT4CBT

Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT), a self-guided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program for alcohol use. Participants receive access either immediately following the baseline assessment or after the second follow-up assessment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Alcohol Use
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks, and 12 Weeks.

Change in alcohol consumption measured using the 28-day Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB).
Baseline, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks, and 12 Weeks.
Change in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks, and 12 Weeks.

Change in suicidal thoughts and behaviors as measured by the Colombia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Baseline, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks, and 12 Weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Mark J Rzeszutek, PhD

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 (Estimated)

March 1, 2027

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 21, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 25, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 21, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 117103

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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