The investigators are conducting a randomized clinical trial of our new web-based version of the CBT4CBT program to evaluate its effectiveness relative to standard outpatient counseling at SATU. The computer-based training program (CBT4CBT) focuses on teaching basic coping skills, presenting examples of effective use of coping skills in a number of realistic situations in video form, and providing opportunities for patients to practice and review new skills while receiving substance abuse treatment.
One hundred eighty drug-using individuals seeking treatment at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (SATU) of the Connecticut Mental Health Center will be randomized to (1) standard outpatient counseling at SATU (typically consisting of weekly group counseling), (2) individual clinician delivered CBT, or (3) web-based CBT4CBT. Treatments will be delivered over a 12-week period with a six-month follow-up after termination of the study treatments. The primary outcome measures will be reduction in substance use (frequency of drug use by time, confirmed by urine toxicology screens). Secondary outcomes will include treatment utilization and cost, several measures intended to detect whether web-based CBT4CBT retains key characteristics of traditional clinician-administered CBT (e.g., acquisition of coping skills, use of change strategies), participant characteristics which will be evaluated as potential moderators of outcome, as well as participant satisfaction and treatment credibility.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
164
Treatment normally offered at this clinic which could include individual or group drug counseling sessions one time per week last one hour each time.
Individual drug counseling sessions with trained clinicians using CBT one time per week last one hour per session.
Subjects work with a computerized program that teaches skills for stopping drug use and increasing coping skills. Computerized sessions are one time per week and last about one hour per session.
Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (SATU)
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Reduction in drug abuse
Time frame: 12 weeks
Subjects ability to demonstrate coping skills through a computerized role-playing evaluation
Time frame: 12 weeks
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