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Icons representing alcohol and cannabis use

Image credit: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

By: W.B. Kagan

PISCATAWAY, NJ – Today’s young adults are growing up fully immersed in digital technology, making smartphones and apps powerful tools for health-related interventions. According to new research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, mobile technologies can help reduce the risks linked to alcohol and cannabis use in this age group.

Excessive drinking and frequent cannabis use can have serious consequences for youth and society, including traffic fatalities, assaults, and other accidents. Mobile devices offer an opportunity to gather immediate, real-time data from users in their everyday environments, known as “ecological momentary assessments.” These assessments can power personalized support systems to encourage healthier behaviors and prevent substance misuse, as explored in three recent studies.

“Our goal was to demonstrate the creative use of daily and ecological assessments, where participants report their behaviors and experiences multiple times a day,” said Anne M. Fairlie, a research associate professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Fairlie co-authored two of the studies and provided an editorial overview for all three.

“Presenting these three pieces together underscores how similar types of data can fuel different forms of intervention,” Fairlie added.

One project, led by Traci M. Kennedy at the University of Pittsburgh, focused on young adults with ADHD who are at heightened risk for excessive alcohol use. Through continuous mobile check-ins, researchers gathered information about participants’ symptoms and alcohol habits. Personalized feedback based on these insights helped users better understand and manage their behavior.

Another study, directed by Melissa A. Lewis from the University of Texas at Arlington, developed an online program paired with text messages sent three times a week over two months. This intervention targeted young adults engaging in risky alcohol and cannabis behavior. By analyzing participants’ reported motivations and challenges, researchers were able to send personalized messages promoting “protective behavioral strategies” to help reduce risk and encourage mindful use.

The final research, conducted by Fairlie and colleagues, applied ecological momentary assessment techniques to detect alcohol cravings in real-time. Participants submitted multiple daily entries for over two weeks, tracking their urges and associated situations. Afterward, they received a customized feedback report designed to help them identify personal triggers and develop strategies to manage them.

“Despite using different methods, all three studies highlighted the value of customizing each intervention,” said Fairlie. “They demonstrate the flexibility and usefulness of ecological momentary assessment and show how it can be adapted in meaningful ways.”

Fairlie concluded, “There are many approaches for turning daily and real-time data into personalized interventions. This not only allows for innovation but also ensures a solid, evidence-based foundation for helping young people make safer choices.”

She emphasized that as this research expands, we can anticipate even more personalized, engaging, and effective digital tools aimed at reducing risky behaviors among vulnerable young adult populations.

Journal

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

DOI

10.15288/jsad.24-00448

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Innovative strategies for leveraging daily and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data to enhance the content of three novel alcohol and/or cannabis interventions for young adults

Article Publication Date

12-Jan-2026

COI Statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest or relevant disclosures.