Problematic Alcohol Use
Conditions
Keywords
e-alcohol therapy, online alcohol treatment, internet-based alcohol treatment, alcohol intervention, video therapy, proactivity
Brief summary
The study evaluates whether the introduction of e-alcohol therapy (alcohol therapy delivered via video conference) can break with some of the barriers related to alcohol treatment and thereby appeal to people with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8). The study aims to evaluate the effect of e-alcohol therapy on initiation, treatment compliance and alcohol intake as compared to treatment as usual .
Detailed description
Background: Only a small proportion of those who have a problematic alcohol use receive treatment and compliance is low among the few that undergo treatment. If treatment more easily can be combined with everyday life and break with some of the barriers related to stigma by having a broader appeal, more people with a problematic alcohol use may seek and complete treatment. Alcohol therapy conducted via video conference may be an attractive treatment option and effective in reducing alcohol intake among people with a problematic alcohol use who do not seek traditional treatment. Objective: The aim of this trial is to evaluate whether people with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8), who enroll in alcohol therapy delivered via video conference to a greater extent initiate as well as comply with treatment and reduce their alcohol intake compared to people allocated to standard alcohol treatment. Design: Randomized controlled trial Participants: 375 Danish citizens above 18 years with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT) score \>8). Intervention: Participants are randomized to one of two groups: 1. Conversational therapy via video conference where participants are contacted by an alcohol therapist for the purpose of initiating a course of treatment where participants are not required to show up at a clinic. 2. Treatment as usual where participants receive contact information on their local alcohol treatment facility for the purpose of contacting the facility to initiate a face-to-face course of treatment at the clinic. The allocation of participants to the intervention will be 1:1 to the intervention and the control group. Methods: Data will be collected by questionnaire at baseline, 3 months and 12 months post randomization. Analyses will be intention to treat. Subgroup analysis will be conducted in relation to personal and demographic characteristics. Process evaluation will be performed using a combination of questionnaires and qualitative interviews with participants, therapists and management at the clinics.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALE-alcohol therapy
Conversational therapy sessions provided via video conference by a professional alcohol therapist.
Sponsors
TRYG Foundation
Novavi Outpatient Clinics
University of Southern Denmark
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
\- Problematic alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8)
Exclusion criteria
* Not legally able and willing to provide informed consent * No provision of a functional e-mail address * No provision of municipality of residence and phone number * No access to a personal computer equipped with functional camera, audio equipment, and Internet access.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation of treatment (completion of one session) | 3 months post randomization | 25% higher completion of one treatment session |
| Compliance (completion of at least 3 sessions) | 3 months post randomization | 25% higher completion of at least three treatment sessions |
| Total weekly alcohol intake (measured by Timeline follow back) | 3 months post randomization | Higher reduction in total weekly alcohol intake (measured by Timeline follow back) (5 units) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Problematic drinking | 12 months post randomization | Lower Alcohol Use Disorder Test score |
| Weekly alcohol intake below national guidelines | 3 and 12 months post randomization | 20% increase in participants reporting a weekly alcohol intake below the national high risk drinking limits. |
| Quality of life | 3 and 12 months post randomization | Higher quality of life as measured by the 'Cantril Ladder' |
| Weekly number of heavy drinking days | 3 and 12 months post randomization | Lower number of weekly heavy drinking days (5+ units in one occasion) |
| Weekly drinking days | 3 and 12 months post randomization | Lower number of weekly drinking days |
Countries
Denmark
Outcome results
None listed