# Tailored Adaptive Mobile Messaging to Reduce Problem Drinking

> **NIH NIH R01** · PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION · 2021 · $262,526

## Abstract

Project Summary
The proposed R01, entitled, Tailored Adaptive Mobile Messaging to Reduce Problem Drinking, is submitted
to expand on our recently completed R34 grant entitled, Tailored Mobile Messaging to Reduce Problem
Drinking (R34AA021502). Despite significant consequences, heavy drinking individuals with non abstinence
goals rarely seek treatment. Newer methods such as internet screening and mobile apps provide
opportunities to engage and treat this difficult to reach population. We recently completed an R34 study
where we developed the first automated comprehensive tailored adaptive (TA) text messaging intervention
for problem drinking (PD). We compared TA to different types of automated once a day messaging
including: baseline tailored only messaging (TO), loss framed messaging (LF), gain frame messaging (GF),
and weekly mobile assessment only (MA). This was done over 12 weeks in a sample of 171 problem
drinkers recruited on the internet across the US. All messaging groups outperformed MA on most drinking
outcomes, and the TA group had the largest effect sizes on every drinking outcome with an average weekly
drink reduction of 9 standard drinks and a reduction of 2 heavy drinking days a week at week 12. Over an 8-
month period, 1149 individuals took the web-based screening survey, highlighting the demand for
messaging in this population. This study provides initial evidence of the effectiveness of messaging to
reduce PD in help-seeking adults across the country. Large scale randomized controlled trials are needed
to provide the necessary empirical evidence to validate SMS interventions and to understand moderators of
outcome for help seeking heavy drinkers. In a large scale R01 trial, we propose to compare the Tailored
Adaptive messaging group (TA; N=300) to the baseline Tailored Only group (TO; N=300) and the weekly
Mobile Assessment only group (MA; N=300). All groups will receive messages for a six month period.
Participants will complete self-report web-based assessments at Baseline, 1-Month, 3-Months, 6-Months,
12-Months and 18-Months. Participants across conditions will receive weekly MA for 26 weeks. We
hypothesize that TA will be superior to MA on all drinking measures at all time periods and TA will
outperform TO at all time periods except one month follow-up. Other aims include testing baseline
moderators such as alcohol severity and mediators such as message relevance. Overall, if study aims are
achieved, we will: 1) have empirical support that TA is an effective intervention for PD and its effects are
durable over time; 2) understand whether receiving baseline only tailoring is sufficient or if adaptive tailoring
is needed for long-term behavior change; 3) understand the moderators and mediators of outcome in
messaging interventions for PD; and 4) be able to disseminate an empirically-supported direct to consumer
mobile intervention for PD to anyone with a mobile phone who is not ready to seek in-person care.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10196889
- **Project number:** 5R01AA025058-05
- **Recipient organization:** PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION
- **Principal Investigator:** Frederick John Muench
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $262,526
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-12 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10196889

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10196889, Tailored Adaptive Mobile Messaging to Reduce Problem Drinking (5R01AA025058-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10196889. Licensed CC0.

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