None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Alcohol related harm is a significant issue for Australians. Unfortunately, few people seek help early to reduce their alcohol use, despite the effectiveness of available programs. Many barriers to seeking help for problem alcohol use are overcome through confidential, telephone delivered programs that are available after hours. These programs may provide support options for Australians who would never seek treatment in traditional settings due to stigma, service operating hours, thinking the problem isn’t serious enough for treatment, or thinking that it will get better on its own. People age 18+ years, who would like to reduce how much or how often they drink, are invited to take part in this study comparing two types of telephone delivered programs (1. the Ready-to-Change intervention; 2. minimal standard of care). These support programs are delivered over the telephone at times convenient to participants, from anywhere in Australia: - Participants will receive between 4 and 6 telephone calls from their dedicated support caller - Supporting information will be sent - Our researcher will check in with participants at baseline and then 4 times over a 12-month period - Participants will be paid for their time.
Interventions
Arm 1:
- Telephone-delivered intervention: 4 plus 2 sessions of (approximately) weekly, integrated, structured counselling (30-50 minutes in duration), delivered by the same counsellor each session (a qualified psychologist or social worker trained in the R2C protocol by the developer, Clinical Psychologist Dr Kate Hall). R2C incorporates core elements from evidence-based interventions, such as motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment th
Arm 1: - Telephone-delivered intervention: 4 plus 2 sessions of (approximately) weekly, integrated, structured counselling (30-50 minutes in duration), delivered by the same counsellor each session (a qualified psychologist or social worker trained in the R2C protocol by the developer, Clinical Psychologist Dr Kate Hall). R2C incorporates core elements from evidence-based interventions, such as motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Behaviour change modules cover strategies such as self-monitoring, management of cravings, routine scheduling and psychoeducation about triggers to drink. Motivational enhancement modules cover core principles from MI, including generating change talk, highlighting strengths and creating discrepancies. Relapse prevention modules cover identification and management of triggers for relapse. Eight skills training modules address coping skill deficits, including managing anxiety, controlling impulses, improving mood and managing anger. Sessions will be digitally recorded, and an independent researcher will randomly select and rate fidelity of intervention sessions for 20% of participants. Call duration will be recorded. SMS messages will be sent to remind participants of all pre-arranged telephone sessions. All participants will be encouraged to take part in a minimum of 4, and optimally 6 R2C sessions to benefit from the program. - Self-help resource: Self-help workbooks containing cognitive behavioural exercises presented as node-link maps (a clinical strategy to facilitate communication and problem solving) will be mailed to participants, and completed between sessions, thereby serving as an ongoing self-help resource. Use of the self-help workbooks will be queried and recorded using a pro forma during each R2C phone session. 1. My R2C Workbook Skills Training (Hall, Simpson & Best 2013, Copyright Turning Point, ISBN 13: 978-1-74001-017-7 2. My R2C Workbook Ready 2 Change (Hall, Simpson & Best 2013, Copyright Turning Point, ISBN-13: 978-1-74001-018-4) - Alcohol consumption & stress management pamphlets will be mailed to participants (so that R2C is provided in addition to the minimal standard of care received by the control group).
Sponsors
Eastern Health
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
- Hazardous/harmful alcohol use indicated by an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of >6/7 for women/men - Greater than or equal to 18 years of age - English as a first language or fluent - Educated to high school level - Regular access to a telephone, a postal address (to receive the workbooks) - Able to provide informed consent to participate.
Exclusion criteria
- Currently attending or has intention to attend other treatment for alcohol problems - Hearing impairment sufficient to prohibit a telephone interview - Current or past history of psychosis - Actively suicidal - Acquired brain injury - Pregnancy - Severe alcohol dependence requiring urgent medically assisted treatment (history of severe withdrawal symptoms, plus Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire [SADQ-C] score greater than or equal to 31 = severe alcohol dependence)
Outcome results
None listed