NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Improving mental health and functioning in veterans with anxiety and alcohol use issues

Official title: Addressing Mental Health Comorbidities: Integrated CBT to Improve Functioning in Veterans with Co-Occurring Anxiety and Substance Use

Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-10938013 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking to help veterans who are struggling with anxiety and drinking too much by using a special type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which will tackle both issues at the same time to improve their mental health and daily life.

More Mental Health research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMichael E Debakey VA Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project startOctober 1, 2021
Project endSeptember 30, 2026
Funding year2025
NIH project number5IK2RX003520-04
Project IDNIH-10938013 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have been deployed and are experiencing co-occurring anxiety disorders and hazardous drinking.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have a history of anxiety disorders or hazardous drinking may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on veterans who are dealing with both anxiety disorders and hazardous drinking. It aims to improve their mental health and overall functioning through an integrated approach using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The study will adapt a specific CBT protocol, known as the Unified Protocol, to address these co-occurring issues simultaneously rather than treating them separately. By doing so, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and promote better psychosocial recovery for veterans.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes and quality of life for veterans struggling with anxiety and substance use disorders.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrated approaches to treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders can be effective, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

  • Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
    Houston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ecker, Anthony — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Ecker, Anthony

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.