Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
Conditions
Keywords
cognitive behavior therapy, computer assisted instruction, alcohol abuse therapy, educational resource design and development
Brief summary
The investigators are conducting a randomized clinical trial of our new web-based version of the CBT4CBT (Computer Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) program specifically designed for alcohol to evaluate its effectiveness relative to standard outpatient counseling at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (SATU). The computer-based training program (CBT4CBT) focuses on teaching basic coping skills, presenting examples of effective use of coping skills in a number of realistic situations in video form, and providing opportunities for patients to practice and review new skills while receiving substance abuse treatment.
Detailed description
Ninety alcohol using individuals seeking treatment at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (SATU) of the Connecticut Mental Health Center will be randomized to (1) standard outpatient counseling at SATU (typically consisting of weekly group counseling), (2) standard outpatient counseling plus web-based CBT, or (3) web-based CBT4CBT with minimal clinical monitoring. Treatments will be delivered over an 8-week period with a six-month follow-up after termination of the study treatments. The primary outcome measures will be reduction in alcohol use (frequency of alcohol use by time, confirmed by urine toxicology screens and breathalyzers). Secondary outcomes will include treatment utilization and cost, several measures intended to detect whether web-based CBT4CBT retains key characteristics of traditional clinician-administered CBT (e.g., acquisition of coping skills, use of change strategies), participant characteristics which will be evaluated as potential moderators of outcome, as well as participant satisfaction and treatment credibility.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStandard Treatment as Usual (TAU)
Treatment normally offered at this clinic which could include individual or group alcohol and drug counseling sessions one time per week lasting one hour each time.
BEHAVIORALWeb-based CBT4CBT for alcohol plus TAU
Subjects work with a computerized program that teaches skills for stopping alcohol and drug use and increasing coping skills. Computerized sessions are one time per week and last about one hour per session. Plus TAU
BEHAVIORALWeb-based CBT with minimal clinical contact
Subjects work with a computerized program that teaches skills for stopping alcohol and drug use and increasing coping skills. Computerized sessions are one time per week and last about one hour per session. Plus 10 minute check in with clinician.
Sponsors
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Yale University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Are 18 years of age or older. * Are applying for outpatient, non-agonist substance abuse treatment at SATU. * Meet current DSM-IV criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. * Are sufficiently stable for 8 weeks of outpatient treatment. * Can commit to 8 weeks of treatment and are willing to be randomized to treatment * Are willing to provide locator information for follow-up. * Are fluent in English and have a 6th grader or higher reading level
Exclusion criteria
* Have an untreated bipolar or schizophrenic disorder. * Who have a current legal case pending such that incarceration during 8-week protocol is likely. * Are physically dependent on alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Reduction in alcohol use | 8 weeks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Subjects ability to demonstrate coping skills through a computerized role-playing evaluation and homework | 8 weeks |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed