Implementing Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices in Primary Care

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This research study will examine the effectiveness of a brief, computerized motivational intervention plus treatment-as-usual to treatment-as-usual alone for treating alcohol misuse in Veterans presenting to primary care. The investigators aim to recruit 162 Veterans screening positive on the AUDIT-C to participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention conditions and be asked to complete a baseline assessment and two follow-up assessments conducted at three and six months post treatment. Baseline assessments will be conducted in person by a trained research assistant, while all follow-up interviews will be conducted over the phone. The primary outcome for this clinical trial is the reduction in the number of heavy drinking days. Several secondary outcomes will be collected including health status, depressive symptoms, consequences of drinking, pain symptoms, and distress tolerance. The findings from this study may have large scale implications for how alcohol misuse is treated in primary care. In addition, this study will provide evidence for the feasibility of using the computer as a method for delivering evidence-based mental health interventions in primary care.

Official Title
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Implementing Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices in Primary Care

Conditions
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Alcohol Consumption

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: brief alcohol intervention
* Behavioral: standard care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: at least 18 years of age, speak and read English, U.S. Veteran status, screen positive on the AUDIT-C Exclusion Criteria: the presence of any cognitive difficulties that interfere with one's ability to consent to 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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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: standard care only<br>standard care only - harmful effects of alcohol use and NIAAA limits | Behavioral: standard care<br>* education about harmful effects of alcohol use and NIAAA recommended drinking limits<br>|
| Experimental: Brief alcohol intervention<br>Group receiving brief alcohol intervention | Behavioral: brief alcohol intervention<br>* this intervention consists of brief assessment and feedback<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reduction in Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days | reduction in the percentage of heavy drinking days over the prior 30-days. a heavy drinking day was defined as drinking above gender-matched NIAAA drinking limits (e.g., greater than 4 drinks on one occasion for men). | baseline to six-month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Alcohol Consumption