CBT + Expressive Writing for Alcoholism

(RISE Trial)

Overseen By Jillian Scheer, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Rhode Island

Disqualifiers: Current mental health treatment, Alcohol or drug use disorder treatment, Active psychosis, Active mania, Active suicidality, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial develops and tests a virtual therapy program for LGBTQ+ individuals who have faced trauma and use alcohol. The study aims to create a therapy program that is inclusive and supportive. Participants may either help shape the program or try it through free virtual therapy sessions. This trial suits sexual minority women and transgender and gender-diverse individuals who do not need alcohol detox and are not currently experiencing severe mental health crises like active psychosis or mania. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a supportive therapy program tailored for the LGBTQ+ community.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants are not ineligible if they seek additional care after enrollment, so you might be able to continue your current treatments.

What prior data suggests that this therapy program is safe for LGBTQ+ individuals?

Research has shown that combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Expressive Writing is safe for individuals dealing with alcohol use. Studies suggest that online CBT can be as effective and safe as traditional in-person therapy for reducing alcohol use and related issues. This approach may provide comfort and security when used online.

Participants in previous studies found the treatment manageable, with few negative effects reported. CBT helps change harmful thought patterns and is widely trusted. Expressive Writing, which involves writing about personal thoughts and feelings, offers a safe way to explore emotions and experiences.

Together, these methods aim to support personal growth and healing. While individual experiences may vary, research indicates these therapies are generally safe for those working to reduce alcohol use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the RISE program because it combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with expressive writing, a unique approach for treating alcoholism. Unlike standard treatments, which often involve medication or traditional therapy alone, this method uses inhibitory learning to help individuals manage cravings and build self-efficacy. The remote delivery of RISE makes it accessible to more people, allowing them to participate from the comfort of their homes, which can improve adherence and outcomes. This innovative blend of techniques aims to not only tackle the psychological aspects of addiction but also foster a supportive community, enhancing long-term recovery prospects.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for alcoholism?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with expressive writing in the RISE intervention for treating alcohol use problems. Studies have shown that CBT works well for addressing alcohol use issues, and research indicates that online CBT can reduce alcohol use as effectively as traditional in-person therapy, making it a viable alternative. Expressive writing, which involves writing about thoughts and feelings, has been found to lower anxiety in individuals with substance use issues. This trial will test whether combining CBT with expressive writing in the RISE intervention offers a comprehensive approach to reducing alcohol use and addressing related emotional challenges. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced trauma and use alcohol. Participants should be interested in a virtual therapy program designed to be inclusive and affirming for their community.

Inclusion Criteria

Aim 1: Providers - Not meeting inclusion criteria

Aim 1: Sexual Minority Women and Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals - Not meeting inclusion criteria

Aim 2: Sexual Minority Women and Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals - Not meeting inclusion criteria OR any of the following: Reporting current mental health treatment ≥1 day/month, Receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the past 3 months (note: participants are not ineligible if they seek concomitant care after enrollment), Reporting current alcohol or drug use disorder treatment, except mutual self-help (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) or current PTSD/trauma-focused treatment, Need for alcohol detoxification, defined as score ≥15 on the adapted self-report Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol - Revised (CIWA-Ar), Active psychosis, defined as score ≥1 on the psychosis subscale of the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale - Revised (BASIS-R), Active mania, defined as score ≥6 on the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM), Active suicidality, defined as score ≥22 on the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS), Currently legally mandated to attend treatment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Phase 1: Program Development

Participants share their perspectives to help make the program relevant, inclusive, and affirming

4 weeks

Virtual participation

Phase 2: Treatment

Participants receive the RISE intervention, a remotely delivered CBT + Expressive Writing program

6 weeks

Virtual therapy sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

1-week follow-up assessment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Recovery Through Inhibitory Learning, Self-Efficacy Building, Problem Solving, and Community Building

Trial Overview The study tests a brief, virtual therapy program combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with expressive writing against a wait-list control group to see if it helps reduce alcohol-related issues and improve mental health after trauma.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: RISE Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Description: Participants receive the RISE intervention, a remotely delivered CBT + Expressive Writing program. Intervention: Behavioral: RISE (CBT + Expressive Writing)

Group II: Control: Wait-List Control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants are placed on a wait-list and offered the RISE intervention after the study period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Rhode Island

Lead Sponsor

Trials

57

Recruited

22,400+

Rhode Island Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

200+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12183202/

The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy-based digital ... These findings suggest that digital CBT-based interventions can be an effective alternative to face-to-face CBT for reducing alcohol use and related symptoms.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871624003296

Integrated behavioral interventions for adults with alcohol ... Studies revealed that integrated intervention led to significant reductions in heavy drinking compared to usual care or other interventions. •.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07217795?aggFilters=status%3A

Recovery Through Inhibitory Learning, Self-Efficacy ... This study will test a remotely delivered intervention combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Expressive Writing (EW) to address ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5714654/

Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol and Drug ... Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches have among the highest level of empirical support for the treatment of drug and alcohol use disorders.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/392847243_EFFECTIVENESS_OF_EXPRESSIVE_WRITING_THERAPY_ON_THE_ANXIETY_LEVEL_AMONG_SUBSTANCE-DEPENDENT_PATIENTS_IN_SOBER_HOUSE_DE-ADDICTION_CENTRE_DEHRADUN

effectiveness of expressive writing therapy on the anxiety ... This study examines the level of anxiety of patients who are drug-dependent as well as the efficacy of expressive writing therapy. Objectives: ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-alcoholism-9-2025-f84f4

CBT + Expressive Writing for Alcoholism (RISE Trial) This trial is for LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced trauma and use alcohol. Participants should be interested in a virtual therapy program ...

7. web.uri.edu web.uri.edu/mst-lab/projects/

Projects – Minority Stress & Trauma Lab Description: The overall objective of this project is to adapt and pilot test a remotely delivered alcohol-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871625002091

Cognitive-behavioral interventions for co-occurring ... The current meta-analysis provides an overview of cognitive-behaviorally-based interventions (CBI) that treat co-occurring alcohol and other drug use (AOD)