ABC-training to help in voluntary abstinence challenge (IkPas / NoThanks)

In this study, we test a novel form of cognitive training: ABC-training (Wiers et al., 2020), during a six-week voluntary abstinence period. Participants will be recruited from IkPas(NoThanks!), which is a Dutch health campaign by the Positive Lifestyle foundation that helps adult alcohol users put their alcohol consumption on hold. ABC-training is based on the idea that inferential processes rather than associative processes underlie training effects in cognitive bias modification (CBM). ABC training incorporates personalized risk situations, or antecedents (A), and requires participants to make behavioral choices (B), in accordance with their personal goals, in light of their consequences (C). Therefore, training the repeated choice to either approach or avoid substances with certain (personally relevant) consequences attached, will create inferences about the evaluative properties of these choices. The A’s and B’s will be simulated in a virtual environment, where the participants will navigate an avatar to become aware of the goal related consequences (C’s) of their choices. In this RCT, volunteer participants are randomized over three conditions: ABC-training, regular CBM training and sham-training. We expect stronger effects of ABC-training than of regular CBM, for which we expect stronger effects than sham-CBM: ABC>CBM>sham-CBM. Main outcome variables are duration of successful abstinence (days), and drinking at three follow-ups: 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after posttest. Secondary outcome variables are expectancies, self-efficacy, and alcohol-related problems (AUDIT past half year, assessed only at pre-test and 6 months follow-up).

We expect better outcomes: ABC > CBM > sham-CBM

Pretest, 6 week voluntary training period during IkPas (max 12 training sessions, suggested to do at least 6), posttest, follow-ups two weeks, three and six months after posttest.

ABC-training (Wiers, Van Dessel & Köpetz, 2020, Current Directions in Psychological Science)
CBM in the same setup (cf. Wiers et al, 2010; 2011; Van Dessel et al, 2018).
Sham CBM in the same setup (idem).