Eileen is a Research Associate at KCL, investigating cocaine use with Virtual Reality (VR) enhanced Cue Exposure Therapy (CET), integrated with a wearable device, to improve treatment for people with cocaine dependence. Eileen is also working at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research (CAMHR) at the University of Hull on projects focused on improving care for people with alcohol use disorder. Her PhD thesis is entitled: Harnessing wearable transdermal alcohol sensor devices for clinical use, which investigated wrist-worn transdermal alcohol sensors to measure alcohol consumption with NHS patients accessing alcohol treatment.

Abstract

Understanding cocaine craving and use in environmental settings: Qualitative findings using the theoretical framework of acceptability

This study aims to explore and gain a greater understanding of how cocaine craving occurs and to define physiological changes to identify cocaine use and craving. This study has an overall objective to develop and test an integrated smartphone app-based and wearable sensor-initiated Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAI) to provide personalised and time-sensitive assessments and interventions for cocaine craving and use. Participants accessing drug services for their cocaine use wore an Empatica Embrace Plus and answered smartphone-delivered EMA surveys for 28 days. Research meetings occurred on Days 1, 14 and 28. Participants completed health questionnaires and a semi-structured interview on their experience of wearing the Empatica Embrace Plus and responding to the EMAs. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) informed the topic guide and analysis. Data collection for this study commenced in February 2025 and is estimated to be completed by August 2025. The transcribed qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis and the Iterative Categorisation approach. The topic guide for the semi-structured interview will be guided by the TFA. This will be completed before the conference and the results presented. The conclusion will be determined once the analysis is completed.