iTreAD

A randomised clinical trial of internet-based treatment for binge drinking and depression in young Australians.

Funders:

LoginLab Researchers

Prof. Frances Kay-Lambkin

Status Update: Completed

The iTreAD project (A randomised clinical trial of internet-based treatment for binge drinking and depression in young Australians) is run by the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales in conjunction with the Centre for Translational Neuroscience & Mental Health at the University of Newcastle.

The iTreAD project has been designed to help us work out what level of treatment works best for people with symptoms of depression and binge drinking in your age group. What we know from the research already is that more does not necessarily equal better, and that people in different age groups do better with different types (face-to-face versus internet delivered) and lengths (fewer or greater number of sessions) of treatment. 

About

Aim

The iTreAD project is aiming to test the effectiveness of an innovative, internet delivered evidence-based psychological treatment for improving depression and binge drinking with the addition of a social networking component (BreathingSpace).

Depression and binge drinking behaviours are common clinical problems, which cause substantial functional, economic and health impacts. These conditions peak in young adulthood, and commonly co-occur. Comorbid depression and binge drinking are undertreated in young people, who are reluctant to seek help via traditional pathways to care.

why

Results

Preliminary results show that young people will engage with online interventions for alcohol use and depression resulting in symptom reduction for those conditions. The benefits of offering treatments in an online format include:

  • Increased adherence to evidence-based practice
  • Empowerment of clients to become more active agents in their own care
  • Freeing up of clinician time and resources, and
  • Cost effective provision of high quality, high fidelity treatment – even for comorbid disorders
  • The provision of support and treatment to a population group who are the least frequent users of traditional treatment services of all the ages

 

To view the ITread paper click the button below:

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