Alcohol Related Risk Reduction in Veterans

NCT ID: NCT06768684

Last Updated: 2025-01-10

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-30

Brief Summary

This project is designed to refine and evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a brief, telephone-administered alcohol risk reduction intervention for Veterans.

Detailed Description

This study will investigate whether a brief alcohol harm reduction intervention for Veteran primary care patients who consume alcohol at levels that exceed dietary guidelines but who do not necessarily exhibit evidence of alcohol use and dependence is feasible based on enrollment and retention rates, and treatment satisfaction. In addition, we will investigate whether there is preliminary evidence for efficacy of the intervention based on changes in alcohol consumption over time.

Following enrollment in the study, participants will be scheduled for an initial phone session. Veterans will then receive an alcohol risk reduction intervention that is based on VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines and strategies recommended by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The intervention will be delivered via telephone. After an introduction and overview of the intervention, Veterans will be provided with personalized feedback regarding potential health risks associated with their alcohol use and how alcohol use may interact with their health conditions and medications. Following a motivational enhancement exercise, Veterans are advised to reduce alcohol intake to within recommended limits and are supported in identifying a drinking goal. Consistent with principles of harm reduction, the approach starts by "meeting the Veteran where they are" and establishing a collaborative and empowering relationship that leverages the individual's skills. Rather than requiring participants to work toward abstinence, Veterans select their own treatment goals. Evidence-based strategies for achieving the goal are discussed (e.g., goal setting, self-monitoring, identifying and avoiding triggers, dealing with urges, pacing and spacing drinks, managing high risk situations, finding alternatives to alcohol, developing refusal skills, and enlisting social support). Educational materials addressing methods for cutting down are also provided, along with information about other available resources to support their efforts. Progress is monitored at a subsequent contact. Small, incremental gains are reinforced and recognized as steps in the right direction. Problem solving is used to address barriers to change, and revised goals are discussed as appropriate.

Participants will complete baseline questionnaires as well as a post-treatment evaluations (at approximately three months) and follow-up questionnaires at six months post baseline. Data collection will occur by phone unless the participant requests a hard copy survey to be mailed.

Some study participants will also be selected for a separate phone call to ask additional questions about their experience with the coaching sessions, such as what they liked and didn't like about the phone calls, and what things about them were the most and least helpful.

Conditions

Alcohol Use

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Active intervention

Veterans will receive a two-session telephone-administered alcohol risk reduction intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Brief behavioral counseling

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive a two-session phone-based alcohol risk reduction intervention based on principles of harm reduction. Participants receive personalized feedback regarding how alcohol use may impact their health. Following a motivational enhancement exercise, participants are advised to reduce alcohol intake to within recommended limits. Evidence-based strategies are discussed (e.g., goal setting, self-monitoring, identifying and avoiding triggers, dealing with urges, pacing and spacing drinks, managing high risk situations, finding alternatives to alcohol, developing refusal skills, and enlisting social support). Educational materials addressing methods for cutting down are also provided, along with information about other available resources to support their efforts.

Interventions

Brief behavioral counseling

Participants receive a two-session phone-based alcohol risk reduction intervention based on principles of harm reduction. Participants receive personalized feedback regarding how alcohol use may impact their health. Following a motivational enhancement exercise, participants are advised to reduce alcohol intake to within recommended limits. Evidence-based strategies are discussed (e.g., goal setting, self-monitoring, identifying and avoiding triggers, dealing with urges, pacing and spacing drinks, managing high risk situations, finding alternatives to alcohol, developing refusal skills, and enlisting social support). Educational materials addressing methods for cutting down are also provided, along with information about other available resources to support their efforts.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Veteran status, English-speaking, report current alcohol use, receiving treatment through the Iowa City VA Health Care System

Exclusion Criteria

• History of significant alcohol withdrawal, evidence of significant alcohol dependence, lack of regular access to a telephone, inability to participate in phone counseling

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 99 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center

FED

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mark Vander Weg

Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Mark Vander Weg Investigator, PhD

Role: CONTACT

mark.vanderweg@va.gov

319-467-1377

David Hernandez Project Coordinator, BA

Role: CONTACT

david.hernandez3@va.gov

319-338-0581 ext. 63-7555

Other Identifiers

NOMAD 4130

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id