Alcohol use in the year following approach bias modification during inpatient withdrawal: secondary outcomes from a double‐blind, multi‐site randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Approach bias modification (ApBM) targeting alcohol approach bias has been previously shown to reduce likelihood of relapse during the first 2 weeks following inpatient withdrawal treatment (IWT). We tested whether ApBM’s effects endure for a longer period by analysing alcohol use outcomes 3, 6 and 12 months post‐discharge. Design A double‐blind, sham‐controlled randomized controlled trial. Setting Four IWT units in Melbourne, Australia. Participants Three hundred alcohol IWT patients (173 men, 126 women, 1 non‐binary; mean age 43.5 years) were recruited between 4 June 2017 and 14 July 2019. Follow‐up data collection was completed on 22 September 2020. Intervention and control training Four ApBM sessions were delivered during IWT. ApBM trained participants (n = 147) to avoid alcohol and approach non‐alcohol beverage cues. Controls (n = 153) responded to the same stimuli, but without approach/avoidance training. Measurements Date of first lapse was recorded for non‐abstinent participants to determine time to first lapse. Time‐line follow‐back interviews assessed past‐month alcohol consumption at each follow‐up, with participants reporting no alcohol consumption classified as abstinent. In analyses of past‐month abstinence, non‐abstinence was assumed in participants lost to follow‐up. Number of past‐month drinking days, standard drinks and heavy drinking days (five or more standard drinks for women or non‐binary; six or more standard drinks for…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 173 participants or records.
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