Drinking choices for better mental health mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Digital screening and brief intervention for harmful drinking among individuals with severe mental health: a feasibility study
IRAS ID
251671
Contact name
Stuart Linke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (sponsor representation Noclor Research Support Services)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Among people with severe mental health problems there is a high prevalence of alcohol misuse disorders (AUDs) with detrimental effects on their own physical and mental health and of those around them such as carers, family members, neighbours, colleagues and the general public. In this group excessive alcohol consumption contributes to mental health crises and admissions, long-term medical conditions, domestic violence and abuse, criminal acts, family breakdown and delayed recovery. Screening and brief interventions (SBIs) for interventions for AUDs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption and related health risks.
There is increasing interest in the use of digital technology to support health and wellbeing. Interventions can be implemented online and thus reach individuals who cannot make it to services in person. However there is a paucity of research into the effectiveness of such interventions for those with severe and complex affective problems such as depression and the anxiety disorders.
This study aims to explore the feasibility of an online tailored digital screening and brief intervention website for harmful drinking in a sample of service users accessing a mental health service specialising in the treatment of anxiety, depression and trauma (CDAT)in an inner London NHS Trust. Furthermore, in order to better understand the acceptability of such interventions, service users and healthcare professionals will be invited to take part in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of using the online intervention. We will explore potential barriers from the healthcare professionals’ perspective such as those found in other healthcare settings – particularly primary care - e.g. concern over conveying correct information.
This research will provide valuable information on the feasibility of online interventions for AUDs for this client group as well as the views of service users and healthcare professionals on the broader question of whether and how digital technologies may be helpful.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1744
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion