A randomized controlled study of exposure therapy as aftercare for alcohol use disorder: study protocol

Abstract

BackgroundIt is well documented that individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) respond well during evidence-based psychological treatment, but also that a large proportion relapses when discharged from treatment and confronted with alcohol in real life. Cue Exposure Treatment (CET) focuses on exposing individuals to alcohol cues in order to reduce cravings as well as the likelihood of relapse.The aims of the study are: 1) to investigate whether CET aftercare delivered via a smartphone or in group sessions increases the effect of Cognitive Behavioural Treatment in groups of alcohol dependent individuals; 2) to investigate whether CET as a smartphone application is as or more effective than CET group therapy, and 3) to investigate whether CET as a smartphone application is more cost-effective than CET group aftercare and Aftercare as Usual.Design and methodsThe study will be implemented as an investigator-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 300 consecutively enrolled alcohol use disorder individuals recruited from an alcohol outpatient clinic will be randomized into one of the three following aftercare groups after concluding primary treatment: (1) CET as a smartphone application; (2) CET as group therapy, and (3) Aftercare as Usual. It is hypothesized that the two experimental groups will achieve better treatment outcomes compared to the control group (3).DiscussionIndividuals in the CET groups are given the opportunity to practise coping strategies during exposure to alcohol stimuli before being unavoidably confronted with alcohol and associated stimuli in real life. Thus, CET may help prevent patients from relapsing after concluding treatment, and in the long term. Moreover, the CET application has the potential to improve AUD treatment and continuing care by offering psychological treatment whenever and wherever the patient finds it convenient.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02298751Registration date: 6 November 2014

A Smarter Pathway for Delivering Cue Exposure Therapy? The Design and Development of a Smartphone App Targeting Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Suggestions for improvements centered mainly on the used terminology. A final version of the CET app was developed based on the patients’ feedback and is currently being tested in the previously mentioned Cue Exposure study [ 31 ], which is part of the RESCueH studies [ 32 ].…”

“…In order to add to the evidence base for mobile eHealth interventions, a CET smartphone app that mimics CET with USCS was designed and developed and is currently being tested in a large-scale, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02298751) [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Impact of alcohol marketing on drinkers with Alcohol use disorders seeking treatment: a mixed-method study protocol

“…If craving is higher at the end, drinkers will be invited to stay until the craving is reduced, and coffee and cakes will be offered to them. Indeed, the alternative of food and beverages are among the coping strategies developed in CBT programswhich aim to prevent alcohol relapse, as defined in Mellentin et al [37]. At the end of the interview, all participants will be given a document, which will be explained to them, presenting data on the manipulation of consumers and the effect of the marketing of alcohol products on alcohol consumption.…”

The RESCueH Programme: Testing New Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorders: Rationale and Methods

“…The Cue Exposure Study will compare aftercare based on cue exposure delivered either by a therapist or through a smartphone application with standard aftercare, with the aim of preventing relapse to harmful drinking [28] . The rationale of cue exposure treatment is that real-life training in safe settings will give the patient greater confidence when exposed to alcohol outside the treatment institution, and may in the long-term even diminish reactions to alcohol exposure.…”