RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Piloting of an Intervention to Reduce Problematic Alcohol Use in Early Phase Psychosis Patients

This study is testing a new talking therapy called Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) for young people (aged 16-35) who are in the early stages of a condition like psychosis and also have problems with alcohol. While much attention has been on cannabis use, researchers have noticed that alcohol can also make recovery harder. This therapy aims to help young people cut down on their drinking. The study will compare CET to usual care, which involves a brief chat about how substances affect recovery. Researchers want to see if CET helps people get better, reduces hospital stays, and helps them get back to school, work, and friendships.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Enrolment target

Start

01 Dec 2022

Estimated completion

30 Dec 2026

Psychosis Alcohol Use Disorder

What is this study about?

This research study is about how we can best support young people (aged 16-35) who are experiencing the early stages of a mental health condition called psychosis, and who also drink alcohol in a way that causes problems. When someone has psychosis, they might experience things like hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) or strong beliefs that aren't based in reality. We know that early help is really important for young people with psychosis.

While a lot of focus has been on how cannabis use can affect recovery in these young people, we've also learned that alcohol can significantly get in the way of treatments working well. Our previous studies have shown that having problems with alcohol can make it harder for young people with psychosis to get better. For example, they might have fewer positive symptoms (like hallucinations, which medication often helps with) but more feelings of sadness or depression. We've even seen changes in brain scans that suggest alcohol is having a negative effect.

So, this study wants to try a new approach. We're testing a special type of talking therapy called Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET). This therapy has shown promise in helping people with longer-term mental health conditions reduce their alcohol use. We want to see if it can also help young people with early psychosis drink less and improve their overall recovery. The study will compare CET to what usually happens, which is a short, one-off discussion about how substances can affect recovery. We'll look at things like how their symptoms change, if they need to go to hospital, and – importantly – if they can get back to school or work and rebuild their friendships. These are often the best signs that someone is truly on the path to long-term recovery.

Key takeaways

This study is for young people with early psychosis who also have problems with alcohol.
It tests a specific talking therapy (CET) to help reduce alcohol use.
Researchers want to see if this therapy improves recovery, not just symptoms, but also social life, school, and work.
The study compares CET to standard care for alcohol discussions.
Participation is voluntary and will not affect your usual treatment.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young people aged 16 to 35 who are currently receiving support from Early Intervention Services for psychosis in Nova Scotia, Canada.

To be eligible, you must have been diagnosed with a type of psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, for less than five years. Additionally, you need to be experiencing problematic alcohol use, which will be checked using a short questionnaire about your drinking habits. A score of 8 or higher on this questionnaire would mean you qualify.

You cannot join the study if you have another substance use problem (like with drugs) apart from just nicotine (from smoking or vaping).

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 16 and 35 years old?
Are you receiving care from Early Intervention Services for psychosis in Nova Scotia?
Have you been diagnosed with a psychotic illness (like schizophrenia) for less than 5 years?
Do you have problematic alcohol use (this will be checked with a questionnaire)?
Do you NOT have problems with other drugs (apart from nicotine)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you would be randomly put into one of two groups. One group would receive Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), which is a specific type of talking therapy. The other group would receive 'treatment as usual,' which involves a single session providing information about how alcohol and other substances can affect your recovery.

Over the course of the study, researchers will collect different types of information. This includes basic details about you (like age and gender), information about your mental health symptoms and how you're generally coping, and details about your alcohol use. They will also look at important aspects of your life like whether you go to school or work, and how your relationships with others are developing. These assessments will be done at the start of the study and again at the end of the intervention period. The total duration of your participation in the study would depend on the length of the therapy and follow-up, which will be explained in detail by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer several benefits. You could receive a specialized therapy (CET) that aims to help you reduce your alcohol use and improve your overall recovery from psychosis. This could lead to better mental well-being, fewer hospital stays, and help you get back to school, work, or improve your social life. As with any study, there could be some risks, such as experiencing discomfort when discussing sensitive topics during therapy, or finding the assessments tiring. You will be fully informed of all potential risks and benefits before deciding to join. Most importantly, your participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

Nova Scotia Health Authority
Verified postcode
Halifax, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is psychosis?

Psychosis is a mental health condition where a person might experience unusual thoughts, feelings, or perceptions, such as seeing or hearing things that others don't, or having very strong beliefs that aren't shared by others.

What does 'problematic alcohol use' mean?

It means drinking alcohol in a way that causes problems in your life, such as affecting your health, mood, relationships, or daily activities. The study will use a questionnaire to check this.

What is Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET)?

CET is a type of talking therapy that helps people improve their thinking skills, like memory, attention, and problem-solving, which can then help them manage their alcohol use and improve their overall functioning.

Will I have to stop drinking alcohol completely?

The goal of the therapy is to help you reduce your alcohol consumption, which might mean cutting down or stopping, depending on what is best for your health and recovery.

What happens if I don't want to participate?

If you choose not to be part of the study, it will not affect the usual care and support you receive for your psychosis. Your decision is completely respected.

How to find out more

Candice E Crocker, PhD

candice.crocker@nshealth.ca 902-473-3755 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.