Effectiveness of Internet-Based Self-Help ACT With Behavioral Activation in Improving Alcohol Use Abstinence Among Ethnic Minority Young Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder

Effectiveness of Internet-Based Self-Help ACT With Behavioral Activation in Improving Alcohol Use Abstinence Among Ethnic Minority Young Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder in Hong Kong, 2024: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of internet-based self-help acceptance and commitment therapy with behavioral activation for ethnic minority young adults with alcohol use disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the internet-based self-help acceptance and commitment therapy with Behavioral activation (self-help iACT-BA) feasible and acceptable for ethnic minority young adults with AUD?
• Does the self-help iACT-BA promote greater abstinence from alcohol use compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in ethnic minority young adults diagnosed with AUD? Researchers will compare self-help iACT-BA to treatment as usual (TAU) to see if self-help iACT-BA works to treat alcohol use disorder in ethnic minority young adults.

Participants will:

• Received a self-help iACT-BA module every week for 6 weeks. or a placebo every day for 4 months
• Access the module every week, read the material, practice, and complete home assignments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hong Kong ethnic minority young adults
• They have to read, write, and speak English
• Their age will range from 18 to 25
• They will be voluntary to participate
• Participants should have smartphones or other electronic devices to access the internet
• They must have AUD based on DSM-5 criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently having psychiatric problems, other mental health problems, being actively involved in suicidal attempts, or immediate care
• Having a plan to go out of Hong Kong during intervention implementation
• Having no access to the internet, smart telephone, or other electronic devices
• Have participated in another psychosocial or pharmacological intervention for AUD.