Internet Based Cognitive Behavior Treatment for Alcohol Problems

Internet Based Cognitive Behavior Treatment for Alcohol Problems: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether internet based cognitive behavior therapy might be effective in the treatment of alcohol problems.

A 12 week Internet based self help program based on cognitive behavioral therapy and relapse prevention is tested among Internet help seekers as well as among patients seeking help in addiction care.The design is a one armed pilot study, and outcomes are measured in terms of changes in alcohol consumption, problematic alcohol use, self efficacy, craving, as well as depression and quality of life. 20 participants are recruited entirely online from an open access website and 20 participants are recruited through information given to them at an addiction clinic. All participants have access to the same self help program and have access to a licensed psychologist who guides the person all the way through the program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 18 years
• access to the Internet
• problematic alcohol use defined as ≥ 16 p or more for men and ≥ 14 p or more for women in the Alcohol Use Identification Scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• not adequately fluent in Swedish
• reading or writing impairment if this is so severe as to affect treatment
• ongoing psychological treatment with content similar to the treatment being studied
• suicide risk defined as ≥ 4 p på MADRS-S Q 9 or through a telephone interview with clinician
• severe depression defined as MADRS-S ≥ 30 p
• somatic or psychiatric conditions that are contraindicated for the treatment such as psychosis, bipolar disorder (depressive or manic phase), severe post traumatic stress disorder.
• has during the last 3 weeks begun using medication for alcohol problems or other psychiatric disorder