Intervening to Reduce Suicide Risk in Veterans With Substance Use Disorders

The project is a multi-site randomized controlled trial of the CBT intervention versus the
SPC condition for 300 suicidal Veterans seen in Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
intensive outpatient substance treatment programs (SUD IOP). Participants will be screened
for current suicidal ideation and other conditions by completing a self-report survey
questionnaire. Eligible participants will complete a baseline assessment which will include a
self-report survey questionnaire, a research staff administered interview, and a voluntary
urine drug screen. Participants will be randomized to either a Cognitive Behavior Therapy
(CBT) or Supportive Psycho-education Control (SPC) condition. Both conditions will involve
receipt of 8 one-on-one sessions lasting approximately one hour over a period of
approximately 3-4 weeks in addition to their standard SUD IOP treatment of care they may be
receiving at the VAMC. The intervention is designed to augment their current treatment, not
to take the place of current treatment. Participants will be re-assessed immediately after
receiving the study interventions (at 1-month) and then again at 3-, 6- 12-, 18-, and
24-month post-intervention follow-ups by completing a series of self-report surveys,
researcher administered interviews, and a voluntary urine drug screen. To ensure adequate
monitoring of suicidal ideation, additional telephone follow-up assessments will occur 2-,
4-, and 5-months post-intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Must be 18 years of age or older

- Must be a United States Military Veteran

- Report current suicidal ideation

- Enrolled in outpatient substance abuse treatment within the past month

- Must live within 75 miles of treatment site at time of recruitment

Exclusion Criteria:

- Inability to give informed, voluntary, written consent

- Inability to speak and understand English

- Receipt of methadone treatment for substance use currently or within the past 6 months

- Evidence of active, severe psychotic symptoms

- Women who are currently pregnant