None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with problematic alcohol consumption. Individuals with both problems are more likely to require specialist treatment, which at present is not readily available to the public. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the gold standard of treatment for PTSD, prolonged exposure, is acceptable to individuals who present with PTSD and alcohol use problems. Also, whether integrating treatment for these problems is more efficacious than treating alcohol problems alone. We expect that participants in both treatment conditions will show significant improvements in PTSD and alcohol problems. We hypothesise that integrated treatment will be associated with greater improvement than treatment for alcohol alone.
Interventions
There are two intervention groups in this study. Both groups receive 12x90 minute sessions of therapy over 12 weeks. Groups 1 and 2 both receive therapy for alcohol problems which consists of motivational therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Motivational therapy consists of specific strategies designed to consolidate readiness and commitment to reduce or stop alcohol consumption. Cognitive behaviour therapy consists of strategies that assist participants to identify and redress cognitions a
There are two intervention groups in this study. Both groups receive 12x90 minute sessions of therapy over 12 weeks. Groups 1 and 2 both receive therapy for alcohol problems which consists of motivational therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Motivational therapy consists of specific strategies designed to consolidate readiness and commitment to reduce or stop alcohol consumption. Cognitive behaviour therapy consists of strategies that assist participants to identify and redress cognitions and behaviours that impede effective coping. Group 1 also receives prolonged exposure for post-traumatic stress disorder. Prolonged exposure involves repeated recounting of distressing trauma memories. Group 2 receives supportive counselling for posttraumatic stress disorder. Group 1 receives 12x90 minute sessions of therapy for alcohol problems and exposure for post-traumatic stress disorder; Group 2 receives 12x90 minute sessions of treatment for alcohol problems and supportive counselling.
Sponsors
Dr Claudia Sannibale
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Adults who consume alcohol at high-risk levels (men: 29 or more drinks per week; women: 15 or more drinks per week) and currently meet criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale), basic literacy and ability to communicate in English.
Exclusion criteria
Psychosis (Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV) or past history of psychosis, current suicidal intent (Beck Depression Inventory), injecting drug use (Opiate Treatment Index score of 1 or more), need for residential withdrawal management (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol score 20 or more) (participants will be eligible after completing alcohol withdrawal)
Outcome results
None listed