Evaluating Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate how behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorders affect behavior change.

Conditions
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Alcoholism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Motivational Enhancement Therapy
* Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
* Other: FC Assessment
* Other: IB Assessment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Study inclusion criteria are such that study participants must: meet a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV) alcohol abuse or dependence diagnosis based on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule - IV (DIS-IV); consume a weekly average of at least 24 standard drinks during the baseline period to include at least 5 episodes of heavy drinking; agree not to seek additional alcohol or other substance abuse treatment during the study period; be at least 18 years of age; and be sufficiently proficient in their English speaking ability to interact effectively with the research interviewer. Exclusion Criteria: Individuals assessed as having a drug diagnosis that is more severe than their alcohol diagnosis (e.g., cocaine dependence and alcohol abuse, IV drug use), a serious psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., uncontrolled schizophrenia or major depression) as well as those meeting criteria for organic brain impairment, as measured by the mini-mental status examination section of the DIS-IV will be precluded from study participation. In addition, individuals reporting current enrollment in a substance abuse treatment program, mandated to substance abuse treatment by a court order, or severely socially unstable (e.g., homeless) also will be precluded from study participation.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention<br>Study participants receive either motivational enhancement therapy (MET) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). | Behavioral: Motivational Enhancement Therapy<br>* The motivational enhancement therapy will be delivered according to the Project MATCH manual.<br>Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy<br>* The cognitive behavioral therapy will be delivered according to the Project MATCH manual.<br>|
| Experimental: Assessment<br>IB Assessment study participants receive semi-annual assessments specific to their alcohol and other drug use and FC Assessment study participants receive quarterly assessments specific to diverse areas of functioning (e.g., alcohol and other drug use, social, occupational, legal, psychological/psychiatric, marital). | Other: FC Assessment<br>* FC Assessment study participants are exposed to quarterly assessments across broad domains of functioning.<br>Other: IB Assessment<br>* IB Assessment study participants are exposed to semi-annual alcohol specific assessments<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alcohol Use | Alcohol use will be measured as percent days abstinent, mean drinks per drinking day, and percent heavy drinking days for study months 3 - 15 (one year post-treatment). | One year post-treatment |