Helping College Students With ADHD Lead Healthier Lifestyles
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology, Psychiatric, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 24 |
| Updated: | 10/28/2017 |
| Start Date: | September 2015 |
| End Date: | September 2018 |
| Contact: | Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, PhD |
| Email: | achronis@umd.edu |
| Phone: | 301-405-9640 |
Behavioral Activation To Reduce Problem Alcohol Use In College Students With ADHD
There are currently no published randomized controlled studies examining psychosocial
interventions for college students with ADHD, and none specifically targeting AUDs in this
population at any age, despite the clear indication from emerging research of the need for
such interventions. In the current study, the investigators will develop BA-based treatment
intended to increase involvement in healthy, goal-directed activities (e.g., academic,
recreational or social activities) and to reduce problematic drinking behaviors and other
risk behaviors (e.g., unsafe sex) among college students with ADHD (Behavioral Activation for
Attention & Alcohol Disorders; BAAAD). Finalized treatment manuals, altered based on focus
group feedback, will be tested in a stage I randomized controlled trial (RCT) among 80
college students randomized to BMI + BAAAD or BMI + supportive counseling (SC). The
investigators expect that BMI + BAAAD will be successful with college students with ADHD, in
terms of decreasing the escalation of problematic alcohol use behaviors, as compared to BMI +
SC. This treatment development study will set the stage for larger-scale RCTs.
interventions for college students with ADHD, and none specifically targeting AUDs in this
population at any age, despite the clear indication from emerging research of the need for
such interventions. In the current study, the investigators will develop BA-based treatment
intended to increase involvement in healthy, goal-directed activities (e.g., academic,
recreational or social activities) and to reduce problematic drinking behaviors and other
risk behaviors (e.g., unsafe sex) among college students with ADHD (Behavioral Activation for
Attention & Alcohol Disorders; BAAAD). Finalized treatment manuals, altered based on focus
group feedback, will be tested in a stage I randomized controlled trial (RCT) among 80
college students randomized to BMI + BAAAD or BMI + supportive counseling (SC). The
investigators expect that BMI + BAAAD will be successful with college students with ADHD, in
terms of decreasing the escalation of problematic alcohol use behaviors, as compared to BMI +
SC. This treatment development study will set the stage for larger-scale RCTs.
College students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are particularly
vulnerable to problematic alcohol use (e.g., excessive alcohol consumption, failure to meet
responsibilities because of drinking, or injury to self or others as a result of drinking)
given their developmentally-inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity and
impulsivity, combined with the lifestyle associated with life on a college campus (including
increased access to alcohol, decreased structure and parental supervision). Prior research
demonstrates elevated rates of alcohol related problems and disorders (AUDs) among college
students with ADHD; 47% of college students with ADHD meet lifetime criteria for alcohol
abuse and 23% meet criteria for dependence, as compared to 12% and 6% of college students
from the general population, respectively. There are currently no published randomized
controlled studies examining psychosocial interventions for college students with ADHD, and
none specifically targeting AUDs in this population at any age, despite the clear indication
from emerging research of the need for such interventions. Moreover, brief motivation-based
alcohol interventions (BMIs) that generally have been successful for college students show
limited benefits among individuals with elevated impulsivity and poor self-regulation, both
hallmarks of ADHD, calling for the need to modify BMIs for this vulnerable group. Thus, it is
crucial to determine core treatment components that are efficacious for treating AUDs and
that are developmentally-appropriate for college students with ADHD and designed in a manner
which promotes transportability to the university counseling center setting. Behavioral
activation (BA) is a brief behavioral approach that aims to increase individuals' contact
with valued environments through systematic efforts to increase rewarding experiences,
enjoyment of daily activities, and goal-directed behaviors. BA has been successfully applied
to substance users in a range of settings, including college students with problematic
drinking patterns. Importantly, BA has clear relevance for addressing ADHD-related executive
functioning deficits, which may be associated with an increased propensity for engagement in
problematic alcohol use. Further, BA teaches individuals to engage in healthy, goal-directed
rewarding behaviors (e.g., academic, recreational or social activities), rather than relying
on drinking to provide immediate rewards. Finally, BA is a highly adaptable intervention
approach. In the current study, the investigators will develop BA-based treatment intended to
increase involvement in healthy, goal-directed activities (e.g., academic, recreational or
social activities) and to reduce problematic drinking behaviors and other risk behaviors
(e.g., unsafe sex) among college students with ADHD (Behavioral Activation for Attention &
Alcohol Disorders; BAAAD). This treatment will be developed in collaboration with the
University Counseling Center, to ensure its applicability within this setting, utilizing
focus group methodology with Center staff. Finalized treatment manuals, altered based on
focus group feedback, will be tested in a stage I randomized controlled trial (RCT) among 80
college students randomized to BMI + BAAAD or BMI + supportive counseling (SC). The
investigators expect that BMI + BAAAD will be successful with college students with ADHD, in
terms of decreasing the escalation of problematic alcohol use behaviors, as compared to BMI +
SC. This treatment development study will set the stage for larger-scale RCTs.
vulnerable to problematic alcohol use (e.g., excessive alcohol consumption, failure to meet
responsibilities because of drinking, or injury to self or others as a result of drinking)
given their developmentally-inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity and
impulsivity, combined with the lifestyle associated with life on a college campus (including
increased access to alcohol, decreased structure and parental supervision). Prior research
demonstrates elevated rates of alcohol related problems and disorders (AUDs) among college
students with ADHD; 47% of college students with ADHD meet lifetime criteria for alcohol
abuse and 23% meet criteria for dependence, as compared to 12% and 6% of college students
from the general population, respectively. There are currently no published randomized
controlled studies examining psychosocial interventions for college students with ADHD, and
none specifically targeting AUDs in this population at any age, despite the clear indication
from emerging research of the need for such interventions. Moreover, brief motivation-based
alcohol interventions (BMIs) that generally have been successful for college students show
limited benefits among individuals with elevated impulsivity and poor self-regulation, both
hallmarks of ADHD, calling for the need to modify BMIs for this vulnerable group. Thus, it is
crucial to determine core treatment components that are efficacious for treating AUDs and
that are developmentally-appropriate for college students with ADHD and designed in a manner
which promotes transportability to the university counseling center setting. Behavioral
activation (BA) is a brief behavioral approach that aims to increase individuals' contact
with valued environments through systematic efforts to increase rewarding experiences,
enjoyment of daily activities, and goal-directed behaviors. BA has been successfully applied
to substance users in a range of settings, including college students with problematic
drinking patterns. Importantly, BA has clear relevance for addressing ADHD-related executive
functioning deficits, which may be associated with an increased propensity for engagement in
problematic alcohol use. Further, BA teaches individuals to engage in healthy, goal-directed
rewarding behaviors (e.g., academic, recreational or social activities), rather than relying
on drinking to provide immediate rewards. Finally, BA is a highly adaptable intervention
approach. In the current study, the investigators will develop BA-based treatment intended to
increase involvement in healthy, goal-directed activities (e.g., academic, recreational or
social activities) and to reduce problematic drinking behaviors and other risk behaviors
(e.g., unsafe sex) among college students with ADHD (Behavioral Activation for Attention &
Alcohol Disorders; BAAAD). This treatment will be developed in collaboration with the
University Counseling Center, to ensure its applicability within this setting, utilizing
focus group methodology with Center staff. Finalized treatment manuals, altered based on
focus group feedback, will be tested in a stage I randomized controlled trial (RCT) among 80
college students randomized to BMI + BAAAD or BMI + supportive counseling (SC). The
investigators expect that BMI + BAAAD will be successful with college students with ADHD, in
terms of decreasing the escalation of problematic alcohol use behaviors, as compared to BMI +
SC. This treatment development study will set the stage for larger-scale RCTs.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Be between the ages of 18-24 years old
- Be enrolled full-time at University of Maryland - College Park (UMCP) as an
undergraduate student
- Be fluent in English
- Live independently from their parents
- Meet full Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD
- Meet cutoffs on AUDIT
Exclusion Criteria:
- Bipolar disorder or current psychosis, which would require more immediate/intensive
treatment
- Current engagement in psychosocial therapy thought to interfere with this study
(including participation in other treatment studies on campus)
- Suicidal risk that would place the individual at risk beyond the safety procedure
available from the research team
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