Therapeutic IVR to Augment CBT in Alcohol Dependence
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Vermont
- Enrollment
- 158
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Amount of alcohol and use
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a telephone based self-help program will prevent relapse among individuals undergoing standard substance abuse treatment.
Detailed Description
Relapse rates in the first few months following substance abuse treatment are as high as 50%, in spite of the immediate effectiveness of treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Continuing use of therapy skills following treatment is associated with maintenance of treatment gains. We have programmed a telephone to deliver pre-recorded summaries and rehearsal sessions of skills learned in therapy. The system also includes monthly feedback messages from therapists. We expect that this ad-lib access to therapy skills would allow patients to generalize skills to their personal post-treatment lives. It would also allow individuals in remote or rural areas to obtain access to assistance without travel barriers.
Comparison(s): patients completing group CBT for substance abuse will be randomly assigned to two conditions. In one condition, patients will have unlimited access to the therapeutic telephone system for 4 months. The other condition is standard care (i.e., no formal relapse prevention).
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Prevention
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 19 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Meets current DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence
- •Active drinking during the three months prior to entry into treatment
- •Minimum age of 19
- •Minimum sixth grade reading level.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Meets criteria for a current psychotic illness
- •Imminent plans to move or be incarcerated
- •Presence of such severe hearing, visual, or cognitive deficit(s) that participation in CBT or use of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system are not possible
- •Inability to identify at least one "locator" person to assist in tracking for follow-up assessments
- •Does not have telephone service within the home
- •Incarceration while in active protocol in the study
- •Attendance of less than 8 of 12 CBT sessions
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Amount of alcohol and use
Time Frame: 4 months and one year
drinks per day, drinks per drinking day, percent days abstinent, heavy drinking days
Secondary Outcomes
- Utilization of the telephone system components during the study(4 months and one year)
Investigators
John E. Helzer, MD
Professor of Psychiatry
University of Vermont