Factors Predicting Outcome in Group Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs)

NCT04822987 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 125666
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 4

Brief Summary

Harmful alcohol use is a global risk factor for disease, injuries and death. Research on treatment of Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) indicates that different treatment modalities are equally effective, but also that a large group of patients do not change their drinking pattern despite being in treatment. It is assumed that it is not random who benefits from treatment. Thirty to forty percent of outcome variance in treatment is probably explained by patient factors, and we need more knowledge on how different patient factors moderate treatment effects. Further, clinicians also need more knowledge about selecting patients to different therapies. The present study will investigate how patient factors predict outcome in group treatment of AUDs, and what predicts positive treatment outcomes over time. The study is designed as a quasi-experimental, multi-centre, follow-up study. Patients will be included from Vestfold Hospital Trust, Borgestadklinikken, Blue Cross Clinic, Behandlingssenteret Eina, Blue Cross Clinic and A-senteret, Oslo, Church City Mission. The Project will provide more knowledge about patients seeking treatment for AUDs, and specifically how patient factors predict outcome in group treatment. These results will in turn lead to better selection of treatment modalities, and patients will receive a more effective treatment earlier on. Main aims: 1) How do patient factors predict outcome in group treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs)? 2) Do positive treatment outcomes last over time? Specifically, do the following factors: a) psychiatric comorbidity b) severity of alcohol use pre-treatment c) personality disorders and d) cognitive impairments predict 1) completion of group treatment and 2) positive outcome after 1 year. As an additional aim, we will investigate if the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCa) is feasible as a brief screening instrument for mild cognitive impairments for AUD patients.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD); Alcohol Abuse; Drug Abuse; Psychiatric Disorder; Personality Disorders; Cognitive Deficit; Cognitive Impairment; Substance Use Disorders

Keywords

outcome predictors; naturalistic study; follow up study; group treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Successful treatment completion

  Operationalized as percentage of participation in therapeutic activities

  At treatment completion assessed up to 14 days

• Change in alcohol consumption

  Change in alcohol consumption after 1 year. Measured with Alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and one additional question of number of alcohol units consumed during the last week.

  Assessed 1 year after treatment completion

• Change in alcohol consumption

  Change in alcohol consumption after 3 years. Measured with Alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), and one additional question of number of alcohol units consumed during the last week.

  Assessed 3 years after treatment completion

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in psychological symptom level

  1 year after treatment completion

• Change in psychological symptom level

  3 years after treatment completion

• Participation in working life and use of health services

  Assessed 3 years after treatment completion

• Predictors for successful outcome of group therapy

  1 year after treatment completion

• Is Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) feasible as a brief screening instrument for mild cognitive impairments in patients with Alcohol use disorders (AUDs)

  3 years after study start, when recruitment is completed

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients between 18 and 90 years enrolled in treatment at one of the study sites, and who participates in group treatment. Inclusion criteria is a primary diagnosis of alcohol use disorders. Patients with comorbid psychiatric, illegal drug use, personality and cognitive deficits problems are not excluded from the study.

You may qualify if:

• Primary alcohol use disorder-diagnosis
• Enrolled in treatment at one of the study sites
• Participation in group therapy

You may not qualify if:

• \- Lack of primary AUD-diagnosis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hospital of Vestfold: lead
• Oslo University Hospital: collaborator
• Borgestadklinikken, Blue Cross Clinic: collaborator
• Behandlingssenteret Eina, Blue Cross Clinic: collaborator
• University of Southern Denmark: collaborator
• University of New Mexico: collaborator

Study Sites (4)

Blå kors behandlingssenter Eina

Eina, Oppland, 2843, Norway

Location

Borgestadklinikken

Skien, Vestfold Og Telemark, 3717, Norway

Location

Vestfold Hospital Trust

Tønsberg, Vestfold Og Telemark, 3117, Norway

Location

A-senteret

Oslo, 0469, Norway

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Hoiland K, Arnevik EKA, Diep LM, Mathisen T, Witkiewitz K, Egeland J. Keep on Keeping on? Patient Factors Predicting Discontinuation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment. Subst Use Misuse. 2025;60(12):1808-1819. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2025.2519404. Epub 2025 Jun 24.

  PMID: 40555227 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcoholism; Substance-Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Personality Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders

Study Officials

• Jens Egeland, Phd

  Vestfold Hospital Trust/University of Oslo

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 3 Years
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2021
• First Posted: March 30, 2021
• Study Start: February 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Last Updated: September 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

NO (4)