CBT4CBT for Women in Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Substance Addiction; Drug Dependence; Drug Use Disorders; Substance Use Disorders; Drug Abuse; Substance Abuse; Drug Addiction

Treatments: Behavioral: TAU+CBT4CBT; Behavioral: Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03678051

HM20012674

Details and patient eligibility

About

This project examines computer-delivered cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBT4CBT) as an adjunct to residential treatment for women with substance use disorders (SUD). The project will conduct a 2-arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing post-discharge relapse rates for treatment as usual (TAU) with access to the CBT4CBT program vs. TAU in a residential sample of women with SUDs.

Full description

Women with substance use disorders face unique barriers to substance use treatment, and as a result, are less likely to seek treatment for substance use than their male counterparts. Women's residential treatment settings have been shown to have higher rates of treatment completion and better outcomes; however, relapse rates for substance use are high, with estimates ranging from 40-60%. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been identified as an evidence-based treatment known to improve relapse rates by teaching clients how to recognize and respond to their cues for substance use. Women may particularly benefit from CBT, as their relapse risk factors include depression, interpersonal stress, and relationship conflict.

Despite the effectiveness of CBT, its dissemination is hindered due to limited availability of trained clinicians, cost, and limited resources. Computer-based training for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT4CBT) offers an opportunity to improve the quality and reach of treatment services that is both feasible and cost-effective. Studies to date have demonstrated the utility of CBT4CBT in outpatient settings; however, it has not yet been evaluated as an adjunct to residential treatment for SUDs.

The specific aims are to: 1) Examine feasibility for use of CBT4CBT in a residential treatment program for women with SUDs; 2) Conduct a small RCT comparing TAU with access to the CBT4CBT program (CBT4CBT; intervention) vs. treatment as usual (TAU; control) using relapse rates and days of use as primary treatment outcomes; 3) Exploratory analyses will identify other correlates (e.g., coping strategies, depression) of relapse at 4 and 12 weeks post-discharge.

Enrollment: 63 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• ≥18 years of age
• Female
• Meet DSM-5 criteria for a SUD (current)
• Own a smartphone
• Can return to facility for the 4 and 12-week follow-up visits.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant
• Cognitive or psychiatric impairment
• Language barriers that preclude informed consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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63 participants in 2 patient groups

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Standard of care

Treatment:

Behavioral: Treatment as Usual (TAU)

TAU+CBT4CBT

Experimental group

Description:

TAU with access to the CBT4CBT program

Treatment:

Behavioral: Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Behavioral: TAU+CBT4CBT