Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Alcoholism

Overseen By Marcie Nugent, MSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Regina

Disqualifiers: Severe psychiatric, Severe substance, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

165 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how an online therapy program can help reduce alcohol misuse. It examines whether positive changes in thinking, activities, social connections, habits, and goal setting can decrease alcohol use. The therapy, called the Alcohol Change Course Enhanced, is delivered online, allowing access from home. The trial seeks Canadian residents with internet access who are dealing with alcohol misuse.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new methods of addressing alcohol misuse.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have a severe medical or psychiatric problem that requires immediate treatment, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is safe for alcohol misuse?

Research has shown that online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) is easy to use for individuals struggling with alcohol misuse. Studies have found that this therapy helps reduce alcohol consumption. Participants generally find the program engaging, and no serious side effects have been reported. ICBT uses online tools to teach skills such as handling cravings and refusing drinks, making it accessible and safe for most people to use from home. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for alcohol misuse because it offers a flexible and accessible treatment option. Unlike traditional face-to-face therapy, ICBT allows individuals to receive support online, making it more convenient for those with busy schedules or living in remote areas. This digital approach could also reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek help, as they can participate in therapy from the privacy of their own homes. Additionally, ICBT is designed to be interactive and engaging, which might enhance its effectiveness compared to standard CBT delivered in person.

What evidence suggests that this Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is effective for alcohol misuse?

Research has shown that online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) effectively helps reduce alcohol misuse. In this trial, participants will receive ICBT for Alcohol Misuse, an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy specifically designed for this purpose. Studies have found that ICBT is more effective at lowering alcohol consumption and related issues than merely providing information. This therapy is also practical and affordable for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specifically, one study found that participants using a digital CBT program experienced significant improvements in their alcohol habits over six months. Overall, ICBT for alcohol misuse is a promising method that can support healthier choices and help reduce drinking. ^{4 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather Hadjistavropoulos, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Regina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for residents of Canada who are 18 years or older, have internet access and a suitable device, and acknowledge having issues with alcohol misuse. Specific details on who cannot participate are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Endorse alcohol misuse

Be a resident of Canada

Have access to a computer or appropriate device and the internet

Exclusion Criteria

Other treatment in our clinic

Currently receiving or expecting to receive individual alcohol treatment more than twice per month

Unable to read and understand English. (All content is provided in English and staff is English speaking; it is cost prohibitive at this time to provide the complete service in languages other than English)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Pre-treatment

Baseline data collection including alcohol consumption, adaptive actions, and psychological assessments

1 week

Treatment

Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT) for alcohol misuse, including lessons on adaptive actions and alcohol reduction strategies

6 weeks

Self-guided or therapist-guided sessions

Post-treatment

Evaluation of treatment outcomes and changes in alcohol consumption and adaptive actions

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term changes in alcohol use and psychological health

12 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Alcohol Change Course Enhanced

Trial Overview The study tests the Alcohol Change Course Enhanced (ACCE), an Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy program designed to help people with alcohol misuse by promoting adaptive actions like healthy thinking and social connections.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ICBT for Alcohol Misuse Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol misuse.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Regina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

59

Recruited

9,100+

Macquarie University, Australia

Collaborator

Trials

27

Recruited

27,100+

Karolinska Institutet

Collaborator

Trials

1,510

Recruited

32,450,000+

York University

Collaborator

Trials

64

Recruited

521,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38643242/

Internet-delivered therapy for alcohol misuse: engagement ... Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is effective in reducing alcohol misuse; however, the literature investigating how ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2949875925000062

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol use ... Overall, studies suggest that iCBT is feasible and cost-effective for AUD. Further studies should address iCBT implementation challenges and health equity.

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2824103

A Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Adults ... Mean (SD) rates of PDA from baseline to 6-month follow-up were 49.3% (27.8%) to 69.6% (34.4%) for TAU; 53.7% (29.8%) to 70.2% (35.1%) for CBT; ...

4. jmir.org jmir.org/2021/11/e29666/

Effects of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ... A therapist-guided ICBT program would lead to a greater reduction in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems than information alone. A ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07021053

Adaptive Actions and Alcohol Use Outcomes During ... Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT) is an effective intervention for a variety of psychological concerns, including alcohol misuse.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11032586/

Internet-delivered therapy for alcohol misuse: engagement ... Alcohol misuse is common and causes substantial harm. Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is effective in reducing alcohol ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782925000107

Evaluation of additional resources and stories within ... Additional resources and stories are sometimes incorporated into Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) for alcohol misuse to enhance ...

8. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2020/7/e18693/

Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ... Objective: The current study aims to investigate the feasibility of delivering ICBT for problematic alcohol use within an employee assistance ...