The MEADOW PROJECT (Mending the Effects of Alcohol and Depression on Women) and The Bridge Program (Connecting Recovery Treatment and Behavioral Health) (MEADOW/Bridge)

University of Rochester

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Depression; Alcohol Dependence

Treatments: Behavioral: Treatment as Usual; Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Co-occurring Alcohol Dependence and Major Depression (IPT-ADMD)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00851669

NIH Grant 1K23AA017246-01A1

RSRB00023495

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to evaluate an interpersonally-focused intervention (Interpersonal Psychotherapy) for women with co-occurring alcohol dependence and depression. A sub-protocol has been added to pilot the current study with men with co-occurring alcohol dependence and depression.

Full description

Co-occurring alcohol dependence and major depression (AD-MD) is a serious and common public health problem, yet one that is largely unaddressed by conventional chemical dependency treatment. Among alcohol dependent patients, co-occurring depression is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, increased risk for relapse, worse long-term social and functional adjustment, and higher probability of dire outcomes such as suicide. Treatment research on AD-MD patients is needed to inform effective practice. This study provides an initial test of the applicability of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for alcohol dependent women with major depression (IPT-ADMD). The goal of the proposed research project is to refine and test a behavioral intervention that addresses women's co-occurring alcohol dependence and depression within a cohesive interpersonal frame. In Phase 1 of the project, IPT-ADMD will be piloted with 15 AD-MD women enrolled in a MICA (mentally-ill chemical abusers) group treatment program. Findings from Phase 1 will be used to refine the treatment, assessment, and therapist training procedures. In Phase 2, a randomized controlled trial with 60 AD-MD women will be conducted 1) to determine IPT-ADMD's feasibility and acceptability as an adjunct to standard MICA group treatment, and 2) to assess the comparative effects of IPT-ADMD to treatment-as-usual individual therapy (TAU-IT). Compared to TAU-IT, IPT-ADMD is hypothesized to lead to greater reductions in women's drinking frequency, drinking intensity, and depressive symptoms, and to improved interpersonal functioning.

In addition to the current intervention study comparing IPT-ADMD with TAU-IT, we are piloting IPT-ADMD with men in a sub-protocol of the main study. The target population of the Bridge Program will be men with alcohol dependence and co-occurring major depression. We hypothesize that IPT will be feasible and acceptable and will improve drinking frequency and intensity; depressive symptoms; and interpersonal functioning. The proposed sub-protocol will allow us to determine if future clinical trials of IPT should include both male and female patients with co-occurring alcohol dependence and depression.

Enrollment: 91 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Current Alcohol Dependence and Major Depression

Exclusion criteria

• Bipolar Disorder
• Psychosis or schizophrenia

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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91 participants in 2 patient groups

IPT

Experimental group

Description:

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Co-occurring Alcohol Dependence and Major Depression (IPT-ADMD) is Interpersonal Psychotherapy with modifications specifically designed for the treatment of patients with co-occurring alcohol dependence and major depression

Treatment:

Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Co-occurring Alcohol Dependence and Major Depression (IPT-ADMD)

Treatment as Usual

Active Comparator group

Description:

Individual psychotherapy following usual care practice in a chemical dependency treatment program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Treatment as Usual