Development of an Anxiety Sensitivity-Based Intervention for Substance Use and Anxiety Comorbidity



Status:Completed
Conditions:Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:4/21/2016
Start Date:May 2012
End Date:May 2015

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The aim of the current study is to develop and pilot test an anxiety sensitivity-based
intervention for co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and anxiety. Research questions
include determining whether a broadly-applicable AS-based intervention can significantly
decrease both substance misuse and anxiety. Secondary aims include examining the impact of
this intervention on general functioning and depressive/anxious symptoms. In phase I, an
initial pilot was conducted to examine the feasibility, safety, and patient satisfaction
with the protocol, and to estimate potential efficacy of the protocol. In phase II,
participants will be randomized to the intervention or a control condition.

The aim of the current study is to develop and pilot test an anxiety-sensitivity based
intervention for co-occurring SUDs and anxiety. In the proposed study, the investigators
will develop, refine, and pilot-test an innovative cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for
patients who suffer from substance use disorders as well as anxiety. The goal of the
research group in the proposed study is to design a protocol that can be testable on a
larger sample within an externally-funded, randomized controlled trial. The investigators
plan to submit a proposal for this larger grant to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as
outlined in our external funding statement.

Research questions include determining whether a broadly-applicable anxiety sensitivity
based intervention can significantly decrease both substance misuse and anxiety. Secondary
aims include examining the impact of this intervention on general functioning and
depressive/anxious symptoms. In this translational research project, strategies that have
been demonstrated to impact the psychological mechanisms thought to underlie both illnesses
will be tested in a "real world" clinical setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

- score higher than 25 (established clinical cutoff) on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index
(ASI; Peterson & Plehn, 1999)

- meet the DSM diagnostic criteria for current substance abuse or psychological
dependence

Exclusion Criteria:

- active psychosis, suicidality, mania, or current physiological withdrawal symptoms
that necessitate medical detoxification; no substance use in the past 3 months
We found this trial at
1
site
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
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Hartford, CT
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