The present study is dedicated to empowering individuals close to an addicted person (i.e. concerned significant others, CSOs) to create changes in their family environment: changes that increase the likelihood of the addicted person seeking treatment. The Danish National Clinical Guideline for the treatment of alcohol dependence recommends that alcohol treatment centers offer interventions aimed at CSOs, providing them with the support and empowerment that will enable them to motivate the problem drinker to enter treatment. In the US, the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) intervention has been shown to offer the most effective support to CSOs. CRAFT has consistently demonstrated a two to three times' higher impact on getting individual with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) to attend treatment, compared to other kinds of interventions. Studies of the intervention so far have, however, been small, and the format used in the delivery of CRAFT has not been fully investigated. The aim of the present cluster randomized controlled trial is to implement and investigate CRAFT in a Danish context and with sufficient sample size. Consecutive CSOs will through cluster randomization be randomized to receive either CRAFT in a group format, CRAFT in an individual format, or a control condition, consisting of self-help material only. The primary outcome of the study will be the rate of individuals with AUD entering treatment following the intervention targeted at the CSOs within three months from its initiation. Data will be collected from all CSOs at baseline, three, and six months after baseline.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
255
CRAFT is a counseling/therapist to concern significant others to get their loved one, with an alcohol use disorder, into treatment
Unit if Clinical Alcohol Research
Odense, Denmark
Research Unit of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Unit Odense - University function
Odense C, Denmark
Whether the drinker has sought treatment for her/his alcohol use disorder
The proportion of problem drinkers, who enter alcohol treatment centers from baseline and until three months after their CSOs enrolled in the CRAFT study.
Time frame: 3 months after baseline
Changes in the anxiety, - depression and concern symptoms of concern significant others following CRAFT intervention
Time frame: 3 and 6 months after baseline
Improvement in the relationship between the concern significant other and the drinker before and after CRAFT intervention
Measured by the Relationship Happiness Scale
Time frame: 3 and 6 months after baseline
Changes in number of sick leave days for concern significant others from 6 months before to 6 months after enrollment in the study.
Time frame: 6 months after baseline
Changes in quality of life among concern significant others.
Measured by WHO's quality of life scale "WHOQol-Bref - Danish version"
Time frame: 3 and 6 months after baseline
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.