The Effect of Family History on Insomnia During Sobriety in Alcoholics

The Effect of Family History on Insomnia During Sobriety in Alcoholics

The investigators intend to assess the following:

• the efficacy of CBTi in treating insomnia during recovery,
• does a family history of alcoholism moderate the insomnia symptoms,
• does an improvement in insomnia lead to a decrease in impulsivity.

The primary goals of this pilot study are the following:

a) to assess for the difference in improvement insomnia, after 8 weeks of treatment with recommended CBTi, in Veterans with alcohol dependence during early recovery,

The secondary goals include the following:

1. to assess for any change in the alcohol consumption indices between the groups after 8 weeks of CBTi,
2. to assess for change in psychiatric symptoms of mood and anxiety across the groups,
3. to assess for differences in insomnia in subjects, with and without a first degree family history of alcohol dependence,
4. to evaluate for any change in impulsivity-related measure with insomnia treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of insomnia currently
2. DSM IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence within the past year
3. Not in acute alcohol withdrawal and within a year of sobriety from alcoholism
4. Patients with moderate-severe sleep apnea compliant on their PAP device
5. Can speak, understand and print in English.
6. Is capable of giving written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Dependence on psychoactive substance (excluding alcohol, nicotine and cannabis) in the past 12 months, or evidence of chronic opiate use.
2. Unstable/serious psychiatric condition e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.
3. Unstable or serious medical/neurologic illness
4. Severe cognitive impairment
5. Untreated moderate - severe obstructive sleep apnea