Telemedicine for Alcoholism

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Deborah Manderachia, LMSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Recent AUD therapy, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests telemedicine programs to help individuals manage alcohol use and overall well-being. Participants will either join a telehealth program that includes therapy techniques (TeleTx intervention) or receive usual care with some education about alcohol use. All activities occur remotely, requiring a device with video or phone capabilities. Individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who drink at least three days a week may qualify for this trial. The goal is to identify the most effective method for delivering helpful health information. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative telehealth solutions for managing alcohol use.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on telemedicine programs for managing alcohol use.

What prior data suggests that this telemedicine program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that telemedicine treatments for alcohol use, such as the TeleTx program, are generally safe. Although specific safety data for these treatments is limited, studies suggest they are well-tolerated. Digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs, included in TeleTx, have proven effective and safe for those aiming to reduce alcohol use. Participants typically experience improvements in controlling their drinking without major side effects. Overall, telemedicine offers a practical and potentially helpful way to support individuals in managing their alcohol-related health habits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the TeleTx intervention for alcoholism because it leverages telehealth technology to deliver a psychosocial program directly to patients. Unlike traditional treatments that require in-person visits, this approach uses adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing remotely, making it more accessible to people who might face barriers in accessing care. By offering therapy through telehealth, it can reach a wider audience, providing flexibility and ease for individuals seeking help for alcohol use disorder. This method has the potential to revolutionize how we approach treatment, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for managing alcohol use?

Research has shown that telemedicine, including video calls and phone support, is as effective as in-person doctor visits for treating alcohol use problems. This trial tests the TeleTx intervention, which incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Studies have found that telehealth programs can significantly reduce risky drinking and lessen alcohol-related issues. Additionally, telehealth tools have been linked to fewer drinking days and reduced heavy drinking over time. These findings suggest that the TeleTx program, a treatment arm in this trial, could be a valuable tool for managing alcohol use. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Erin Bonar

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Allison Lin, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with alcohol use disorder who drink on average three or more days per week, have access to a device with video capabilities or a phone, and can understand English. It's not suitable for those who've had recent AUD therapy, are at risk of complicated withdrawal, or have injected drugs in the past year.

Inclusion Criteria

An average of 3 or more drinking days per week for the past 30 days

Have regular access to a device with video capabilities or a phone to use for study related calls

Current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) based on alcohol symptom checklist

Exclusion Criteria

Past-year drug injection

At elevated risk for complicated alcohol withdrawal

Inability to speak or understand English

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to either the TeleTx intervention or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) group, with sessions focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation.

3 months

Remote sessions via Zoom, Facetime, or Phone

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol use and quality of life, with follow-up visits up to 12 months from baseline.

12 months

Remote follow-up visits

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Enhanced Usual Care (EUC)
• TeleTx intervention

Trial Overview The study compares two programs: TeleTx intervention delivered via telehealth platforms like Zoom and Enhanced Usual Care (EUC). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these groups and followed up for up to 12 months to see which program better helps manage health behaviors related to alcohol use.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TeleTx intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The evidence-based manualized psychosocial program is via telehealth and uses adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.

Group II: Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) Active Control 1 Intervention

EUC will include brief psychoeducation about AUD and resources for treatment.

TeleTx intervention is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Telehealth intervention for:

• Alcohol use disorder treatment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Telemedicine has been shown to effectively reduce alcohol consumption among individuals with alcohol use disorder, based on a systematic review of 22 articles.

In addition to reducing alcohol intake, telemedicine improved patient accessibility to healthcare services, increased patient satisfaction, and may lower healthcare costs, indicating its potential as a valuable tool in managing alcohol-related disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measures of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Quality of Telemedicine in the Management of Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation: Systematic Review. Kruse, CS., Lee, K., Watson, JB., et al.[2020]

A pilot study involving 127 rural alcohol users showed that participating in 3 or more sessions of motivational enhancement therapy via telemedicine significantly reduced the likelihood of any alcohol use by 72%.

While there were no overall differences between groups, those who engaged in more sessions reported fewer days of drinking, fewer drinks per week, and fewer days with alcohol-related problems, suggesting that telemedicine can effectively reach at-risk populations who may not seek traditional treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

METelemedicine: a pilot study with rural alcohol users on community supervision. Staton-Tindall, M., Havens, JR., Webster, JM., et al.[2021]

This study will compare the effectiveness of a web-based relapse prevention therapy (e-RPT) to traditional face-to-face therapy (RPT) for adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD), involving 60 participants over 10 sessions.

The research aims to demonstrate that e-RPT can reduce relapse rates and improve quality of life, self-efficacy, and resilience, while also being more accessible and cost-effective than traditional therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing and Implementing a Web-Based Relapse Prevention Psychotherapy Program for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Eadie, J., Gutierrez, G., Moghimi, E., et al.[2023]

A study involving 262 participants with alcohol use disorder found that remote continuing care via telephone or smartphone significantly reduced heavy drinking days compared to traditional intensive outpatient programs (IOP) over 12 months.

Both telephone monitoring and smartphone support were effective, but combining the two did not provide additional benefits, and the positive effects did not last beyond the treatment period.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and comparative effectiveness of telephone and smartphone remote continuing care interventions for alcohol use disorder: a randomized controlled trial. McKay, JR., Gustafson, DH., Ivey, M., et al.[2023]

A 12-month online group treatment program for gambling disorders, developed during the COVID pandemic, showed that all four participants no longer met the criteria for Gambling Disorder after treatment and maintained abstinence for 12 months.

This study suggests that online group therapy can be an effective and acceptable method for treating gambling disorders, especially for individuals who prefer telehealth options, indicating a need for further research with larger randomized controlled trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Case Study Demonstration of the Potential Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Novel Telehealth Treatment for People Experiencing Gambling Harm. Oakes, J., Northe, V., Darwin, C., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 57 participants in a therapist-guided internet intervention for alcohol use disorders, the most common client behaviors in messages to therapists were building a therapeutic alliance and identifying patterns of problem behaviors, which accounted for 26.6% and 22.8% of total behaviors, respectively.

Although these client behaviors did not predict module completion or drinking outcomes, they provide valuable insights for therapists and treatment developers to enhance the understanding of therapeutic processes in online interventions for alcohol use disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring client messages in a therapist-guided internet intervention for alcohol use disorders - A content analysis. Kraepelien, M., Hadjistavropoulos, HD., Berman, AH., et al.[2022]

Telemedicine, specifically through videoconferencing, is being used to effectively deliver motivational enhancement therapy to at-risk alcohol users in rural areas, where access to treatment is often limited.

This approach not only addresses the lack of evidence-based substance abuse treatment in rural communities but also tailors interventions to the specific needs of at-risk groups, enhancing the potential for positive outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telemedicine-based alcohol services for rural offenders. Staton-Tindall, M., Wahler, E., Webster, JM., et al.[2021]

A study involving 360 patients with substance use disorders found that both telehealth and in-person treatment led to improvements in substance use, as measured by the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (DUDIT-C) scores.

There was no significant difference in treatment outcomes between telehealth and in-person care, indicating that telehealth is an effective alternative for treating substance use disorders in rural outpatient settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Change in Drug Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (DUDIT-C) with Telehealth Treatment Compared to in-Person Treatment. Neufeld, J., Ullrich, F., Merchant, KAS., et al.[2023]

The Ria Treatment Platform (RTP) is a novel telemedicine program for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) that combines physician visits, medication, and support through a smartphone app, showing a 50% reduction in average blood alcohol content (BAC) among engaged patients over 90 days.

With a treatment retention rate of 55% at 90 days, the RTP demonstrates promising efficacy in reducing alcohol use, highlighting the potential of integrating technology and medical support in AUD treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel telehealth platform for alcohol use disorder treatment: preliminary evidence of reductions in drinking. Mitchell, MM., Mendelson, J., Gryczynski, J., et al.[2021]

In a study of 240 patients who completed a 12-week residential treatment for alcohol use disorder, high-frequency telephone-based continuing care (10 contacts) significantly improved abstinence rates at 6 months compared to a control group.

Patients receiving high-frequency telephone support also demonstrated greater alcohol-related self-efficacy and a longer time to relapse, suggesting that proactive contact from known psychotherapists can enhance recovery and prevent relapse after treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telephone- and Text Message-Based Continuing Care After Residential Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Multicenter Study. Graser, Y., Stutz, S., Rösner, S., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11103167

Project Details - NIH RePORTER Aim 2: Determine the efficacy of the TeleTx intervention compared to EUC on percent drinking days and percent heavy drinking days across 3-, 6-, and 12-month ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-alcoholism-5-2022-56586

Telemedicine for Alcoholism · Info for Participants Research shows that telemedicine, including video calls and phone support, is as effective as in-person care for treating alcohol use disorders, making it a ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S254256842200040X

Telehealth interventions for alcohol use disorder In this paper, we examine the efficacy and long-term impacts of digitally delivered CBT and other online telehealth tools and apps for AUD patients.

4. jsatjournal.com jsatjournal.com/article/S2949-8759(25)00158-4/abstract

Evaluating telehealth and text-based interventions for at- ... This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a remote digital alcohol reduction service, offering two interventions—adaptive text ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2796748

Effectiveness of a Stand-alone Telephone-Delivered ... The intervention was associated with a significantly greater reduction in hazardous alcohol use and a reduction in alcohol problem severity when 2 or more ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772598724000291

Digital interventions for alcohol use disorders: A narrative ... In a study of this app enrolling individuals within the at-risk threshold, significant improvements in alcohol risk scores and increases in alcohol non- ...

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

A Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Adults ... The results of this trial provide support for the efficacy of a digital CBT program with brief weekly clinical monitoring for individuals seeking treatment for ...