E-alcohol Therapy - an Evaluation of Alcohol Therapy Delivered Via Video Conference

Background: Only a small proportion of those who have a problematic alcohol use receive treatment and compliance is low among the few that undergo treatment. If treatment more easily can be combined with everyday life and break with some of the barriers related to stigma by having a broader appeal, more people with a problematic alcohol use may seek and complete treatment. Alcohol therapy conducted via video conference may be an attractive treatment option and effective in reducing alcohol intake among people with a problematic alcohol use who do not seek traditional treatment.

Objective: The aim of this trial is to evaluate whether people with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8), who enroll in alcohol therapy delivered via video conference to a greater extent initiate as well as comply with treatment and reduce their alcohol intake compared to people allocated to standard alcohol treatment.

Design: Randomized controlled trial

Participants: 375 Danish citizens above 18 years with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT) score >8).

Intervention: Participants are randomized to one of two groups:

• Conversational therapy via video conference where participants are contacted by an alcohol therapist for the purpose of initiating a course of treatment where participants are not required to show up at a clinic.
• Treatment as usual where participants receive contact information on their local alcohol treatment facility for the purpose of contacting the facility to initiate a face-to-face course of treatment at the clinic.

The allocation of participants to the intervention will be 1:1 to the intervention and the control group.

Methods: Data will be collected by questionnaire at baseline, 3 months and 12 months post randomization. Analyses will be intention to treat. Subgroup analysis will be conducted in relation to personal and demographic characteristics.

Process evaluation will be performed using a combination of questionnaires and qualitative interviews with participants, therapists and management at the clinics.

Inclusion criteria

• Problematic alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8)

Exclusion criteria

• Not legally able and willing to provide informed consent
• No provision of a functional e-mail address
• No provision of municipality of residence and phone number
• No access to a personal computer equipped with functional camera, audio equipment, and Internet access.