SBIR-STTR Award

The goals of this proposed research project are to develop, evaluate and disseminate an Internet based (web) application called Overcoming Addictions (OA). OA will be based on the cognitive-behavioral change protocol of SMART Recovery (www.smartrecovery.org). The goal of OA is to help users learn cognitive and behavioral skills to abstain from drinking, drug use, and other addictive behaviors. SMART Recovery is a non-profit educational organization with a self-help/mutual aid component. SMART stands for Self-Management And Recovery Training. Its web site defines the purpose of the organization as: To support individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions; and to work towards long-term satisfactions and quality of life. It s protocol for change is based on motivational enhancement and cognitive-behavioral principles and strategies. The four point program focuses on: 1) building and maintaining motivation for change; 2) dealing with urges; 3) problem solving; and 4) lifestyle balance (balancing momentary and enduring satisfactions). Phase I goals are to develop and evaluate a broad breath, limited depth prototype of the program and evaluate its technical merit and feasibility via a pilot study with SMART Recovery members and evaluation by a panel of experts on SMART Recovery. Phase II goals are to complete the development of a program, pilot test it and conduct a randomized clinical trial with a 12 month follow-up to assess its effectiveness. The study will be an additive design, comparing OA and SMART Recovery group involvement to SMART Recovery group involvement alone. Developing a web application for SMART Recovery would be innovative. Neither we nor the principals at SMART Recovery are aware of any other web application that provides training in the SMART Recovery protocol. As a result, there is both a significant commercial opportunity in developing an effective web application and a public health benefit potential if this web application is effective in helping individuals recover from their addictive behaviors. An automated, evidence-based program that helps individuals with alcohol, drug, and non-chemical addictions will benefit the overall public health of our nation in three ways: 1) improved recovery outcomes for those seeking such alternative recovery options; 2) a better quality of life for consumers seeking to recover from their addictions and their families; and 3) economic savings. In addition, the innovative use of a web-based application like OA has the potential to reach a significant segment of the population that might not otherwise seek and/or receive services by other means.

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The objective of this research project is to develop, evaluate, and disseminate an Internet-based (web) application for SMART Recovery: Overcoming Addictions (OA). OA will be based on the four point cognitive-behavioral program for SMART Recovery (www.smartrecovery.org). The goal of the OA program is to help users learn cognitive and behavioral skills to abstain from drinking, drug use, and problem gambling. The major project goals in Phase II are to complete the development of the OA web application and evaluate the effectiveness of the OA web application in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). The study design has three conditions: 1) participation in face-to-face SMART Recovery meetings alone;2) use of the OA web application as a stand-alone intervention;and 3) combining the OA web application with participation in face-to-face SMART Recovery meetings. Baseline assessment will consist of a 3-month TimeLine Follow Back (TLFB) interview that asks about both drinking and drug use, the Inventory of Drug use Consequences (InDuC) that asks about both alcohol and drug-related negative consequences, and assessment of additional help sought during the course of the study. Post-baseline assessments will occur at 3-and 6-months and will be parallel to the baseline assessment. The proposed project also has significant potential to benefit the public health. If the OA program proves to be effective, it would provide individuals seeking help for a wide range of addictive behaviors with an accessible Internet resource that uses evidence-based approaches to address addictive behaviors and to promote positive, sustainable changes. Consistent with the nature of many web-based applications, this help could be provided in a relatively cost-effective manner either as a stand-alone intervention or as an adjunct to both SMART Recovery's face-to-face groups (depending on the outcomes of the clinical trial). It could also serve as an adjunct to treatment programs that have a cognitive-behavioral orientation. This SBIR project will add another product to our set of programs for people with alcohol and drug problems. A long-term goal of Behavior Therapy Associates LLP is to develop and offer a suite of evidence- based interventions both to the general public and to treatment providers (both in substance abuse treatment and in primary healthcare). We have already developed the Drinker's Check-up, a brief motivational intervention for heavy drinkers, and have just completed a study of our moderatedrinking.com web application. This application follows logically in sequence: a program to help people abstain once they're motivated to do so. , ,

Public Health Relevance:
If this program proves to be effective, it would provide individuals seeking help for a wide range of addictive behaviors with an accessible Internet resource that uses evidence-based approaches to address addictive behaviors and to promote positive, sustainable changes. This assistance could be provided in a relatively cost-effective manner and could be contribute to a reduction in alcohol, drug, and gambling-related problems in our society. 1

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