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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2021 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX003520-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-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
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.