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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00145678

Psychodynamic Therapy For Co-occurring Borderline Personality Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder

The purpose of the study is to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified form of psychodynamic psychotherapy for persons suffering from co-occurring borderline personality disorder and an alcohol use disorder.

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Key information

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder Alcohol Use Disorder Alcohol-Related Disorders Alcoholism Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Personality Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

SUNY Upstate Medical University, University Hospital

Syracuse, New York, 13210, United States

About this study

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a condition that can cause significant distress and increased risk of death. Many persons with BPD also have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and there is evidence that this can worsen the outcome and course of both disorders.

A manual-based form of psychodynamic therapy (PT), labeled dynamic deconstructive psychotherapy, has been developed for particularly challenging patients with BPD, especially those with co-occurring substance use disorders. It aims to remediate specific neurocognitive capacities that are responsible for processing of emotional experiences, and so diminishes symptoms of BPD and promotes the development of a coherent and differentiated self-structure. PT has been shown to be helpful for BPD, but has not been tested for people who have BPD with co-occurring substance use disorders.

The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial of PT for persons with BPD and co-occurring AUD that will generate some initial data that can be used to determine the need and feasibility for further outcome studies. Participants are randomized to either a study group receiving weekly PT or to a control group receiving usual care. Enrollment is 15 participants in each group. The study group will receive 12-18 months of PT, with naturalistic follow-up. Outcome measures are administered by a research assistant at enrollment, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 30 months.

The investigators anticipate that the PT group will show trends towards better retention in treatment and greater reduction in parasuicides, alcohol misuse, and institutional care. If so, this would have important and positive implications for the large group of patients who suffer from BPD and co-occurring AUD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18 and 45 years
  • Meets diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder and for active alcohol abuse or dependence
  • At least average intelligence

Exclusion criteria

  • Meets diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder

Treatment and study plan

Psychodynamic Therapy

Behavioral

Dynamic deconstructive psychotherapy is a time-limited (12-18 month) manual-based form of psychodynamic therapy that aims to remediate specific neurocognitive capacities responsible for processing of emotional experiences.

Other names: Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy

Optimized Community Care

Behavioral

individual and group psychotherapy in a private practice, clinic, and/or rehab setting, with an eclectic orientation

Other names: Treatment as Usual

Primary outcomes

  1. episodes of parasuicide, alcohol intoxication, institutional care

    Time frame: 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. depression, dissociation, core symptoms of borderline pd, perceived social support

    Time frame: 12 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

State University of New York - Upstate Medical University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Psychodynamic Therapy for Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder and Alcohol Abuse

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Sep 5, 2005
Registry last updated
Jan 6, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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