Delivering Treatment in DUI Programs to Reduce Alcohol-Related Disparities

RanD

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Alcohol Abuse

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Behavioral: Usual Care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02588703

R01MD007762

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current study evaluates the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in DUI programs for individuals with a first-time offense. Investigators will utilize a two-group randomized design where individuals enrolled in a DUI program with a first-time conviction will be randomized to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT; n=150) or Usual Care (UC; n=150). Participants will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and 6-months post-treatment. Recidivism data will also be collected using administrative data two years post-treatment.

Full description

Enormous unmet needs for alcohol treatment exist among individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) since up to 43% recidivate and 67% meet criteria for alcohol dependence. Investigators will test whether delivering a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) as part of a mandated DUI program improves health outcomes, and reduces alcohol use, alcohol-related problems and injuries, and DUI recidivism compared to usual care. The study has the potential to promote the public welfare by providing treatment to individuals with a DUI conviction, while focusing on Latinos, who are disproportionately less likely to access treatment and more likely to be arrested for a DUI, to have higher rates of recidivism, and to die in alcohol-related crashes than their white counterparts. The study is innovative because it would be the first to address effectiveness of treatment for AUDs embedded within a DUI program. Investigators will conduct a randomized trial of a 9-session group-based CBT (n=150) as compared to group-based usual care (UC; n=150) immediately after and 6 months after the end of treatment. Short-term outcomes include alcohol use (rates of heavy drinking, percent days abstinent), alcohol use-related self-efficacy, and intent to drink and drive. Investigators will also examine whether race/ethnicity, gender, acculturation, and alcohol situational norms predict our primary treatment outcomes (rates of heavy drinking, percent days abstinent) and DUI recidivism (alcohol-related violations).

Enrollment: 351 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• meets criteria for at-risk drinking,
• 21 years+,
• English speaking,
• current client in 3-month DUI program

Exclusion criteria

• under 21,
• does not speak English,
• does not meet criteria for at-risk drinking

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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351 participants in 2 patient groups

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

9-session 2-hour group cognitive behavioral therapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Usual Care

Active Comparator group

Description:

9-session 2-hour group counseling

Treatment:

Behavioral: Usual Care