Oliveras C, Balcells-Olivero M, Bataller R, et al. MyWayUp: A Digital Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder in Patients With Alcohol-Related Liver Disease-Results From an RCT. Liver Int. 2026;46(2):e70506. doi:10.1111/liv.70506
This randomized single-blind controlled trial examined MyWayUp, a gamified web app designed to reduce stigma and improve awareness, motivation, and health literacy among patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The intervention combined the digital program rooted in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy with a brief intervention. Patients with an ArLD diagnosis were recruited from liver, primary care, and internal medicine services at two hospitals; nearly half (40.5%) had precirrhosis. Participants (n=79) were randomized 1:1 to intervention or control groups. At baseline, average drinking days were 20.6 (SD 13.7), heavy drinking days were 18.9 (SD 14.00), average SDU per day of use was 8.1 (SD 9.2), and AUDIT-C score was 10.8 (SD 1.8). At six months, treatment retention was higher in the intervention group: 30 patients (73.2%) compared with 18 (47.4%) in the control group (p = 0.017), as well as at three months. Adherence was also higher in the intervention group at months 1, 3, and 6. However, there were no significant differences between groups in changes in alcohol use. Among active drinkers, month-one SDUs per occasion were lower in the intervention group (5.7 versus 11.2, p = 0.031), and six-month MELD-Na was also lower (12.3 versus 16.0, p < 0.001). MyWayUp increased engagement with AUD treatment and shows promise as a tailored digital intervention. Further research in more diverse, naturalistic populations may provide additional insights for future developments.