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Anxiety and Depression Association of America Annual Meeting
April 05, 2016
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Internet intervention reduces problematic drinking, PTSD symptoms in veterans

PHILADELPHIA — A self-management Internet intervention effectively reduced drinking and PTSD symptoms among veterans, according to data presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America annual conference.

“Alcohol misuse and PTSD are highly comorbid in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans following deployment,” Deborah Brief, PhD, of VA Boston Healthcare System, and colleagues wrote. “Internet interventions provide a viable method for reaching and intervening with a large number of veterans with post-deployment problems.”

To evaluate efficacy of VetChange, an eight-module self-management Internet intervention for returning veterans with problematic drinking, Brief and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial among 600 OEF and OIF veterans. All study participants exhibited problematic drinking and 62% had a probable PTSD diagnosis.

Participants with access to VetChange exhibited a greater reduction in drinking and PTSD symptoms than participants who received delayed intervention.

Baseline PTSD symptoms did not predict drinking outcomes nor did they affect benefits from VetChange.

Drinking decreased regardless of whether participants selected a goal of moderation or abstinence.

Among participants who completed a decision-making module, some indicated they did not want to change drinking due to specific PTSD symptoms.

“OEF/OIF veterans are able to reduce drinking and PTSD symptoms through Internet interventions regardless of initial PTSD symptom severity or goal choice. However, PTSD symptoms may impact motivation to change drinking,” the researchers wrote. “Results of further analyses will help us better understand the relationship between PTSD symptoms and motivation to change so that we can design appropriate interventions for returning veterans.”. – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Brief D, et al. Helping veterans with problem drinking and PTSD help themselves through an Internet intervention. Presented at: Anxiety and Depression Association of America Conference; March 31-April 3, 2016; Philadelphia.

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