Addition of cue exposure to cognitive-behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse: a randomized trial with dysphoric drinkers

Abstract

Aim: To test whether addition of moderation-orientated cue exposure (CE) or CE after dysphoric mood induction (emotional CE, ECE) improved outcomes above those from cognitive-behaviour therapy alone (CBT) in people who drank when dysphoric.

Design: Multi-site randomized controlled trial comparing CBT with CBT + CE and CBT + ECE.

Setting: Out-patient rooms in academic treatment units in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia.

Participants: People with alcohol misuse and problems controlling consumption when dysphoric (n = 163). Those with current major depressive episode were excluded.

Intervention: Eight weekly 75-minute sessions of individual treatment for alcohol problems were given to all participants, with CBT elements held constant across conditions. From session 2, CBT + CE participants resisted drinking while exposed to alcohol cues, with two priming doses of their preferred beverage being given in some sessions. After an initial CE session, CBT + ECE participants recalled negative experiences before undertaking CE, to provide exposure to emotional cues of personal relevance.

Measurements: Alcohol consumption, related problems, alcohol expectancies, self-efficacy and depression.

Results: Average improvements were highly significant across conditions, with acceptable maintenance of effects over 12 months. Both treatment retention and effects on alcohol consumption were progressively weaker in CBT + CE and CBT + ECE than in CBT alone. Changes in alcohol dependence and depression did not differ across conditions.

Conclusions: These data do not indicate that addition of clinic-based CE to standard CBT improves outcomes. A different approach to the management of craving may be required.