Adjunctive Motivational Alcohol Intervention to Prevent IPV

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Mar 9, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new approach to help veterans who struggle with alcohol use and have been involved in intimate partner violence (IPV). The researchers want to see if a brief therapy called Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) can help reduce alcohol problems and instances of IPV better than standard education about alcohol or regular monitoring. The study will include 300 male veterans participating in a program called Strength at Home, and they will be recruited from three VA medical centers.

To be eligible for the study, participants must be veterans aged 18 or older, enrolled in the Strength at Home program, and show signs of alcohol-related issues, such as experiencing violence while drinking or consuming large amounts of alcohol regularly. During the study, participants can expect to receive either MET, alcohol education sessions, or standard treatment, and the researchers will track how these different approaches affect their alcohol use and violent behavior. This trial aims to find effective ways to support veterans in reducing alcohol use and preventing violence in their relationships.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• All Veteran participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• • participant is a Veteran
• • minimum age 18
• • participant is enrolled in the Strength at Home program following program intake
• * participant displays evidence of alcohol-related problems during program intake, as indicated by any of the following:
• • a report of physical IPV while under the influence of alcohol in the past year
• • a score of 8 or greater on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
• • consumption of 6 or more standard drinks per occasion on one or more occasions in the previous 6 months
• • average weekly consumption of 14 or more standard drinks in the prior 6 months
• • participant provides written consent to participate in the study
• • inclusion for this study is broad because this is a population who possesses a number of comorbid problems and exclusion for those based on psychopathology or risk for aggression could potentially lead to a biased sample
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • None