Linking Veterans with Hazardous Drinking to Alcohol Care
Multi-site Pilot Trial of Strengths-based Linkage to Alcohol Care (SLAC) for Hazardous Drinkers in Primary Care
This study is testing a new program to help veterans who drink too much connect with alcohol care services and see if it can reduce their drinking and improve their mental health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 140 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 2 sites (Little Rock, Arkansas and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05023317 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a behavioral intervention called Strengths-based Linkage to Alcohol Care (SLAC) for Veterans identified as hazardous drinkers in primary care settings. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either SLAC combined with usual care or usual care alone. The study aims to improve the linkage of Veterans to alcohol care services and assess the impact of SLAC on reducing alcohol use and mental health symptoms such as PTSD and depression. The findings will inform the potential for a larger scale study to evaluate SLAC's effectiveness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Veterans who have screened positive for hazardous drinking and have experienced PTSD and/or depression in the past year.
Not a fit: Patients who have received specialty substance use disorder treatment or participated in mutual-help groups in the past 90 days may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve access to alcohol care and mental health outcomes for Veterans with hazardous drinking behaviors.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, existing studies have shown limited success in linking Veterans with hazardous drinking to effective alcohol care, highlighting the need for novel interventions like SLAC.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Have screened positive for hazardous drinking (AUDIT-C score \> 5) * PTSD (PC-PTSD-5 score \> 3) and/or depression (PHQ-2 score \> 3) in the prior 12 months and have positive rescreens * Not have received specialty SUD treatment or participated in weekly mutual-help groups in the past 90-days * Not have significant cognitive impairment * Have ongoing access to a mobile or landline telephone * Provide at least one contact who will know the Veteran's contact information Exclusion Criteria: * Not meeting any of the inclusion criteria
Where this trial is running
Little Rock, Arkansas and 1 other locations
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System , Little Rock, AR — Little Rock, Arkansas, United States (Recruiting)
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA — Palo Alto, California, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michael A Cucciare, PhD — Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System , Little Rock, AR
- Study coordinator: Michael A Cucciare, PhD
- Email: Michael.Cucciare@va.gov
- Phone: (501) 257-1068
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.