Approximately 50% of young adults who drink alcohol experience alcohol-induced blackouts, defined as permanent (en bloc) or temporary (fragmentary) memory loss for events that occurred while they are drinking. This experience of alcohol-induced blackout is associated prospectively with alcohol-related harm, including emergency room visits and sexual coercion, with medical care costs exceeding $469,000 per year. While young adults who have recently experienced a blackout report less favorable evaluations of drinking events and increased motivation to decrease their drinking, they do not actually change their drinking behavior as a result of the blackout alone. Collectively, these data suggest that blackouts may serve as an opportunity for intervention, after which young adults are more likely to respond to alcohol feedback. This R34 aims to develop an intervention tailored to individuals who experience blackouts. The research team developed a dynamic personalized feedback intervention for young adults with a history of blackout. For Aim 1, 15-20 young adults with a history of blackout will provide their perspectives on the proposed content, layout, and language of the intervention. For Aim 2, 162 young adults (50% female, ≥50% non-college) who report a history of blackout will be randomly assigned to receive the intervention (n=81) or assessment only (n=81). Outcomes will be assessed immediately post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up.
The proposed R34 aims to develop and pilot test a dynamic personalized feedback intervention (PFI) that will reduce alcohol use and related consequences among young adults with a history of alcohol-induced blackout.