Open Pilot Trial Evaluating an Avatar-Guided Intervention for Emerging Adults With Alcohol Use Problems and Suicide Risk

This study is an open pilot usability trial with emerging adults presenting to the emergency department with binge drinking and suicidal thoughts. The main study aims are to test the usability of a newly developed avatar-guided mobile health intervention and feasibility of 28 days of daily assessments and four follow-ups at 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after discharge.

Ten emerging adults aged 18-29 years old will be recruited from the emergency department who have suicidal ideation and alcohol use problems. Exclusion criteria are conditions that would preclude research participation (e.g., cognitive disabilities, in police custody; at imminent risk of harming oneself in the emergency department).

All ten participants will be given access to a newly designed avatar-guided digital intervention and text message intervention (EA-Avatar) for 12 weeks in addition to usual emergency department care. Participants will complete measures of alcohol use, suicidal ideation, and alcohol-related cognitions and experiences, as well as service utilization. They will also complete a scale of usability of the avatar intervention and qualitative interviews of the intervention and research protocols.

Based on participant qualitative interviews, a scale of usability of the digital intervention, feedback surveys, recruitment and retention in the study, participant completion of daily diary and ecological assessment surveys, and analysis of mobile intervention usage data, the intervention will be revised, before testing in a larger randomized controlled feasibility trial.