Clinical Trial of CBASP for Individuals With Co-occurring Chronic Depression and Alcohol Dependence

University of Virginia8 enrolled

Overview

This study examines the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) in reducing both alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms in adults who are chronically depressed and alcohol dependent. Participants will receive a 20-session course of CBASP psychotherapy over a period of 21 weeks and will be assessed for severity of pretreatment psychological abuse and trauma as well as pre and posttreatment interpersonal functioning. Two primary hypotheses are to be tested: 1) demonstrate that CBASP is effective in reducing depressive symptoms (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-24 ratings) and alcohol consumption (drinks per drinking day) in this chronically depressed alcohol dependent cohort when posttreatment ratings are compared to pretreatment levels; and 2) demonstrate that acquisition of feeling safe with the therapist and acquisition of the ability to perceive the interpersonal consequences of one's behavior will significantly increase from pre to posttreatment levels and will be associated with reductions in drinking and depressive symptoms.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Depressive Disorder Major Depressive Disorder Dysthymic Disorder Alcohol-Related Disorders Alcoholism

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of PsychotherapyBEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) is a behavioral intervention that addresses the unique behavioral characteristics of chronically depressed individuals, most of which are highly relevant for alcoholics as well. CBASP has a structured, individualized, and collaborative (patient and clinician) design. The intervention emphasizes teaching effective coping strategies and employing motivational, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal techniques. Individual therapy (1 hour) sessions occur on a weekly basis for a total of 20 sessions over a period of 21 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of a current major depressive disorder (e.g., Major Depression, Dysthymic Disorder) for a minimum of two years * Clinical diagnosis of alcohol dependence during the last thirty days * Interest in changing one's drinking and alleviating depressive symptoms Exclusion Criteria: * Please call study site for additional information

Locations (1)

University of Virginia Center for Addiction Research & Education (UVa CARE)

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Depression Rating

Change in depression rating scale over time.

Time frame: Baseline and 20 weeks

Drinking behavior

Change in number of drinks consumed per day over time.

Time frame: Baseline and 20 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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