TY - JOUR
T1 - Addition of cue exposure to cognitive-behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse : a randomised trial with dysphoric drinkers
AU - Kavanagh, David J.
AU - Sitharthan, Gomathi
AU - Young, Ross M.
AU - Sitharthan, Thiagarajan
AU - Saunders, John B.
AU - Shockley, Natalie
AU - Giannopoulos, Vicki
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Aim: To test whether addition of moderation-orientated cue exposure (CE) or CE after dysphoric mood induction (emotional CE, ECE) improved outcomes above those from cognitive-behaviour therapy alone (CBT) in people who drank when dysphoric. Design: Multi-site randomized controlled trial comparing CBT with CBT + CE and CBT + ECE. Setting: Out-patient rooms in academic treatment units in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. Participants: People with alcohol misuse and problems controlling consumption when dysphoric (n = 163). Those with current major depressive episode were excluded. Intervention: Eight weekly 75-minute sessions of individual treatment for alcohol problems were given to all participants, with CBT elements held constant across conditions. From session 2, CBT + CE participants resisted drinking while exposed to alcohol cues, with two priming doses of their preferred beverage being given in some sessions. After an initial CE session, CBT + ECE participants recalled negative experiences before undertaking CE, to provide exposure to emotional cues of personal relevance. Measurements: Alcohol consumption, related problems, alcohol expectancies, self-efficacy and depression. Results: Average improvements were highly significant across conditions, with acceptable maintenance of effects over 12 months. Both treatment retention and effects on alcohol consumption were progressively weaker in CBT + CE and CBT + ECE than in CBT alone. Changes in alcohol dependence and depression did not differ across conditions. Conclusions: These data do not indicate that addition of clinic-based CE to standard CBT improves outcomes. A different approach to the management of craving may be required.
AB - Aim: To test whether addition of moderation-orientated cue exposure (CE) or CE after dysphoric mood induction (emotional CE, ECE) improved outcomes above those from cognitive-behaviour therapy alone (CBT) in people who drank when dysphoric. Design: Multi-site randomized controlled trial comparing CBT with CBT + CE and CBT + ECE. Setting: Out-patient rooms in academic treatment units in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. Participants: People with alcohol misuse and problems controlling consumption when dysphoric (n = 163). Those with current major depressive episode were excluded. Intervention: Eight weekly 75-minute sessions of individual treatment for alcohol problems were given to all participants, with CBT elements held constant across conditions. From session 2, CBT + CE participants resisted drinking while exposed to alcohol cues, with two priming doses of their preferred beverage being given in some sessions. After an initial CE session, CBT + ECE participants recalled negative experiences before undertaking CE, to provide exposure to emotional cues of personal relevance. Measurements: Alcohol consumption, related problems, alcohol expectancies, self-efficacy and depression. Results: Average improvements were highly significant across conditions, with acceptable maintenance of effects over 12 months. Both treatment retention and effects on alcohol consumption were progressively weaker in CBT + CE and CBT + ECE than in CBT alone. Changes in alcohol dependence and depression did not differ across conditions. Conclusions: These data do not indicate that addition of clinic-based CE to standard CBT improves outcomes. A different approach to the management of craving may be required.
KW - cognitive behaviour therapy
KW - self-efficacy
UR - http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/505524
M3 - Article
SN - 1360-0443
SN - 0965-2140
VL - 101
SP - 1106
EP - 1116
JO - Addiction
JF - Addiction
IS - 8
ER -