Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)WAIT-AYANCT07071779
Web-based Alcohol- or Cocaine-specific Inhibition Training in Adolescents and Young Adults With Substance Use Disorder
A study testing Substance-specific inhibition training in people with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), run by University of Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 14 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- What is being tested?
- Substance-specific inhibition training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 210 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 23 Jul 2025to Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 14 to 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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)
Show all 9Show fewer
- Other severe substance use determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the DUDIT (except nicotine)
- History of epilepsy
- Cochlea implant
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Switzerland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Bern
Bern
Maria Stein, PD Dr., +41 31 684 54 12, maria.stein@unibe.ch
Kirstin Schuerch, PhD
About this study
Official title: 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.
- Being tested
- Substance-specific inhibition training, Control training
- Keywords
- Alcohol use disorder, Alcohol-specific inhibition training, Cognitive bias modification, Feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial, Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Cocaine-specific inhibition training, Substance-specific inhibition training
- Medical subject headings
- Alcoholism, Substance-Related Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Substance-specific inhibition trainingOther
Twelve sessions of substance-specific inhibition training
Control trainingOther
Twelve sessions of unspecific inhibition training
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Substance-specific inhibition training | Experimental | 12 sessions of substance-specific inhibition training Receives: Other: Substance-specific inhibition training |
| Control training | Active comparator | 12 sessions of unspecific inhibition training Receives: Other: Control training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of participants recruited
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.
Measured: From enrollment to the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks
Number of participants successfully completing the program
Number of participants successfully completing the program is one indicator of the feasibility of implementing substance-specific inhibition training in a smartphone app.
Measured: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrollment
Proportion of participants completing the follow-up visits
Proportion of participants completing the follow-up visits is another indicator of feasibility.
Measured: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment
Number of participants adhering to the treatment
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.
Measured: From enrollment to last last training session, approx. 10 weeks
Number of adverse events
Number of adverse events is another indicator of feasibility of implementing substance-specific inhibition training in a smartphone app.
Measured: From enrollment to the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Percentage of days abstinent
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.
Measured: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment
Number of heavy drinking days
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.
Measured: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment
P3-component of event-related potentials
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
Measured: 4-6 weeks.
N2-component of event-related potentials
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
Measured: 4-6 weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jul 2025
- Study start23 Jul 2025
- Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 210 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Bern
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Maria Stein, PD Dr., Principal investigator, University of Bern
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07071779
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BASEC2024-01150
- Acronym
- WAIT-AYA
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 18 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The decision to share IPD depends on the explicit consent provided by participants as part of the informed consent process. Since it is not possible to determine in advance whether participants will grant permission for data sharing, IPD sharing is not planned.
Publications
Schuerch K, Koenig T, Guarriello A, Soravia L, Berger T, Adorjan K, Moggi F, Stein M. Mobile alcohol-specific inhibition training in adolescents and young adults with alcohol use disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial. Front Psychol. 2026 Apr 22;17:1684231. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1684231. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42099725
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Web-based Alcohol- or Cocaine Specific Inhibition Training in Adolescents and Young Adults With Substance Use Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07071779
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- WAIT-AYA / BASEC2024-01150
- Keywords
- Alcohol use disorder, Alcohol-specific inhibition training, Cognitive bias modification, Feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial, Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Cocaine-specific inhibition training, Substance-specific inhibition training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 210 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of BernUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Substance-specific inhibition training | Experimental | Other: Substance-specific inhibition training12 sessions of substance-specific inhibition training |
| Control training | Active comparator | Other: Control training12 sessions of unspecific inhibition training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 14 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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
- Current medication affecting EEG (e.g., benzodiazepines)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Substance-specific inhibition trainingTwelve sessions of substance-specific inhibition training | Other | Substance-specific inhibition training |
| Control trainingTwelve sessions of unspecific inhibition training | Other | Control training |
Primary outcome
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
4 secondary outcomes
Percentage of days abstinent
Time frame: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment
Number of heavy drinking days
Time frame: At the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks from enrolment
P3-component of event-related potentials
Time frame: 4-6 weeks.
N2-component of event-related potentials
Time frame: 4-6 weeks.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Feb 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42099725Schuerch K, Koenig T, Guarriello A, Soravia L, Berger T, Adorjan K, Moggi F, Stein M. Mobile alcohol-specific inhibition training in adolescents and young adults with alcohol use disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial. Front Psychol. 2026 Apr 22;17:1684231. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1684231. eCollection 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The decision to share IPD depends on the explicit consent provided by participants as part of the informed consent process. Since it is not possible to determine in advance whether participants will grant permission for data sharing, IPD sharing is not planned.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Maria Stein, PD Dr. principal investigator
University of Bern
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Substance-specific inhibition training in people with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), run by University of Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Maria Stein, PD Dr. (+41 31 684 54 12, maria.stein@unibe.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of participants recruited (time frame: From enrollment to the last assessment, approx. 16 weeks). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07071779, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Feb 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.