Light to fight addiction

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients often suffer from disturbed sleep-wake patterns, and may experience challenges related to their self-control. As sleep problems, circadian misalignment, and reduced self-control have been implicated to increase alcohol consumption, this may lead to a downwards spiral. As shown by the relatively high relapse rates among AUD patients, this negative spiral is difficult to break. The key objective of the current field study is to test the effectiveness of an integrative lighting intervention to support sleep and increase self-control among AUD patients in ambulant care, and, in turn, stabilize and/or reduce alcohol consumption and craving. To this end, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial will be performed in the field, in which out-patients suffering from alcohol dependency are monitored over prolonged time (baseline + 12-week treatment period). The intervention group will receive behavioural instructions (about sleep-wake timing) combined with a lighting intervention aimed to facilitate adherence to these instructions and to increase self-control and mood during daytime, while the placebo group will only receive behavioural instructions with standard light settings. The lighting intervention will consist of dawn/dusk simulation, combined with a higher intensity level during daytime and gradual dimming in the evening in the living room and bedroom. We hypothesize that the user-tailored, dynamic lighting regime will – in addition to standard care - support AUD patients in their fight against alcohol by facilitating sleep and self-control.

We hypothesize that exposure to the user-tailored, dynamic lighting condition will stabilize or reduce alcohol consumption and craving in comparison to a control condition with regular lighting.

Baseline + 12-week treatment period; repeated measures (experience sampling, diary) combined with wearable sensors (actigraphy and light sensors) and a (online) questionnaire during three relatively intensive sampling weeks (at baseline, in week 6 and week 12 of the treatment period). Weekly assessments during regular meetings with caregiver

One group (intervention group) will receive behavioural instructions (about sleep-wake timing) combined with a lighting intervention aimed to facilitate adherence to these instructions and to increase self-control and mood during daytime, while the other group (placebo group) will only receive behavioural instructions with standard light settings. The lighting intervention will consist of dawn/dusk simulation, combined with a higher intensity level during daytime and gradual dimming in the evening in the living room and bedroom.