Web-Based Intervention for Alcoholism in Military Families

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Substance use treatment, Unsafe relationship, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an adaptive web intervention (Partners Connect) on military spouse drinking behaviors (CPs) and service member help-seeking (SMs). The investigators want to identify for whom this intervention is most efficacious and on what drinking behaviors and mechanisms. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention will reduce concerned partner drinking and increase service member help-seeking, compared to website resources, and that phone-based CRAFT will increase help-seeking behaviors, compared to those who are guided via a CRAFT workbook.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment CRAFT Web-Based Intervention for alcoholism in military families?

Research shows that the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) program helps family members encourage their loved ones with alcohol problems to seek treatment. Studies have found that CRAFT can improve the well-being of family members and increase the likelihood that the person with alcohol issues will enter treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the CRAFT Web-Based Intervention safe for humans?

The available research on the CRAFT Web-Based Intervention focuses on its effectiveness and experiences of participants, but does not specifically address safety concerns. However, as a behavioral support program, it is generally considered safe for human use. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is the CRAFT Web-Based Intervention treatment for alcoholism in military families different from other treatments?

The CRAFT Web-Based Intervention is unique because it focuses on helping family members of those with alcohol problems to encourage their loved ones to seek treatment, and it is delivered online, making it accessible and convenient for military families who may face barriers to traditional in-person therapy. ^{1 3 4 7 8}

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for partners of service members who live together, speak English fluently, and are not in the military themselves. They should be willing to try an online program for risky drinking (with scores indicating concern on a screening test) and feel safe in their relationship. Both must be over 18 and not currently receiving mental health or alcohol treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Scoring ≥4 on the AUDIT-C for females or ≥5 for males/other

Willing to try an online program to address risky drinking

Not in the military themselves (to reduce concerns about mandated reporting of alcohol use)

Exclusion Criteria

Does not feel safe in the current relationship

I have difficulties with thinking, seeing, or hearing.

I am not fluent in English.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive an adaptive web intervention (Partners Connect) or a control intervention to evaluate efficacy on drinking behaviors and help-seeking

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• CRAFT Web-Based Intervention (Behavioural Intervention)
• CRAFT Workbook (Behavioural Intervention)
• Gottman Self-Guided Resources (Behavioural Intervention)
• Phone-Based CRAFT (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests 'Partners Connect,' a web intervention aimed at reducing drinking in military spouses and encouraging service members to seek help. It compares different support methods: phone-based CRAFT, a web-based CRAFT intervention, self-guided resources, and a CRAFT workbook.

Participant Groups

Group I: Phone Based CRAFT Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

If a member of the recruited dyad does not respond, then participants will be randomized to receive phone-based CRAFT

Group II: Intervention Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Those randomized to the CRAFT intervention will receive a web-based intervention

Group III: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Those randomized to CONTROL will complete a self-guided intervention

Group IV: CRAFT Workbook Active Control 2 Interventions

If a member of the recruited dyad does not respond, then participants will be randomized to receive a CRAFT workbook

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Stanford University Palo Alto, CA

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2527

Patients Recruited

17,430,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Patients Recruited

1,091,000+

University of Southern California

Collaborator

Trials

956

Patients Recruited

1,609,000+

RAND

Collaborator

Trials

145

Patients Recruited

617,000+

Northern California Institute of Research and Education

Collaborator

Trials

30

Patients Recruited

10,400+

Findings from Research

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) - design of a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing individual, group and self-help interventions. Hellum, R., Nielsen, AS., Bischof, G., et al.[2023]

The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) approach significantly increased treatment engagement rates for alcohol-dependent individuals (40.5% in the immediate intervention group compared to 13.9% in the waitlist group) at the 3-month follow-up.

Both groups of concerned significant others (CSOs) reported improvements in mental health and family cohesion after receiving the CRAFT intervention, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing the well-being of CSOs regardless of the timing of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of the Community Reinforcement and Family Training for concerned significant others of treatment-refusing individuals with alcohol dependence: A randomized controlled trial. Bischof, G., Iwen, J., Freyer-Adam, J., et al.[2019]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of an Internet-Based Community Reinforcement and Family Training Program to Increase Treatment Engagement for AUD and to Improve Psychiatric Health for CSOs: A Randomized Controlled Trial. EÉk, N., Romberg, K., Siljeholm, O., et al.[2020]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Primary Outcome from a cluster-randomized trial of three formats for delivering Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) to the significant others of problem drinkers. Hellum, R., Bilberg, R., Andersen, K., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Community Reinforcement Approach. Meyers, RJ., Smith, JE., Lash, DN.[2019]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How concerned significant others experience Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) - a qualitative study. Hellum, R., Bilberg, R., Bischof, G., et al.[2022]

A pilot study is evaluating a 4-session web-based intervention designed for concerned partners of military service members with alcohol misuse, aiming to improve their perceptions of help-seeking and relationship satisfaction.

The intervention is based on the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) model and could provide a new way for military families to access support without needing to visit clinical facilities, potentially addressing a significant issue in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study design to develop and pilot-test a web intervention for partners of military service members with alcohol misuse. Osilla, KC., Pedersen, ER., Gore, K., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of two web-based alcohol interventions in the U.S. military. Pemberton, MR., Williams, J., Herman-Stahl, M., et al.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) - design of a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing individual, group and self-help interventions. [2023]

2. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of the Community Reinforcement and Family Training for concerned significant others of treatment-refusing individuals with alcohol dependence: A randomized controlled trial. [2019]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of an Internet-Based Community Reinforcement and Family Training Program to Increase Treatment Engagement for AUD and to Improve Psychiatric Health for CSOs: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Primary Outcome from a cluster-randomized trial of three formats for delivering Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) to the significant others of problem drinkers. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Community Reinforcement Approach. [2019]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How concerned significant others experience Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) - a qualitative study. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study design to develop and pilot-test a web intervention for partners of military service members with alcohol misuse. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of two web-based alcohol interventions in the U.S. military. [2019]