Adapting and Piloting Behavioral Activation for Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Launched by RTI INTERNATIONAL · Feb 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to help U.S. military veterans who are dealing with both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study aims to compare two types of therapy: an adapted version of Behavioral Activation, which focuses on encouraging positive activities, and Relapse Prevention, which helps individuals avoid returning to harmful behaviors. Researchers want to see how well these treatments work for veterans and whether they can measure recovery using new geospatial analysis techniques.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be veterans aged 18 to 65 who meet specific criteria for both AUD and PTSD. They should have experienced heavy drinking in the past month and have difficulties in their daily functioning. Participants will take part in eight therapy sessions, delivered individually by trained therapists, and will complete surveys before and after the treatment to share their experiences. This trial is currently recruiting, and all genders are welcome to participate. It’s a chance to try new therapeutic approaches while contributing to important research aimed at improving mental health care for veterans.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Be a U.S. veteran,
• • 2. Be at least 18 years old,
• • 3. Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for current AUD,
• • 4. Report 3+ heavy drinking days (5+ drinks for men/4+ drinks for women) or 1+ heavy drinking week (15+ drinks men/8+ drinks women) in the past 30 days,
• • 5. Meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD or satisfy the definition of current subthreshold PTSD (i.e., up to one of symptom clusters B-E may fall below diagnostic threshold),
• • 6. Be fluent and literate in English, and
• • 7. Be able to provide voluntary, informed consent to participate.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Current mania/hypomania or current psychosis,
• • 2. Lifetime alcohol withdrawal-related seizures, delirium, or hallucinations,
• • 3. Prior inpatient alcohol withdrawal management,
• • 4. Current DSM-5 severe drug use disorder (DUD) except for severe tobacco use disorder,
• • 5. Psychotropic (including alcohol abstinence) medication changes within 30 days of study enrollment or plans to change medications during the study,
• • 6. Current/planned non-study BA for any disorder during the study, or
• • 7. Current/planned evidence-based psychotherapy for AUD, PTSD, or DUD during the study.