Vet Change

Description:

Vet Change is an 8-module, web-based, cognitive-behavioural intervention designed for US Veterans who are experiencing post-deployment drinking. The program helps participants to understand the connections between deployment, combat stress, and alcohol use. The program focuses on setting a personal drinking goal and self-monitoring.

Service URL:

https://vetchange.org/home/index2

Agency Responsible:

VA Boston Healthcare System.

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Psychological – CBT. Focus on goal-setting and self-monitoring

Course Length:

Long (more than 5 modules).

Support Option:

No support.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Alcohol. Alcohol use in PTSD

Target Audience:

Adult. Veterans

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free. For active duty military and veterans

Access:

Open: With registration.

Contact Details:

info@vetchange.org

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

One randomised ccontrolled trial (1) has been conducted on Vet Change. 600 returned US Veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) were randomised to either Vet Change (N=404) or an 8-week wait-list (N=196). Participants were assessed on Drinks per Drinking Day, Average Weekly Drinks, Percent Heahty Drinking Days, and PTSD symptoms. Participants receiving Vet Change showed significantly greater reductions on all three drinking measures (p<0.001) and PTSD symptoms (P=0.009) from pre- to post-test. Wait-list participants showed similar reductions following receipt of the program, and participants in both groups showed significant baseline to 3-month-follow-up reductions. 

A secondary analysis of the data from this RCT (2) further revealed that patterns of goal choice (i..e moderation, abstinence, changing from moderation to abstinence during the program, or changing from abstinence to moderation during the program) did not predict outcomes.

A 2011 paper outlines the program in detail, along with a review of PTSD and alcohol problems in the target population (3)

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

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Research paper citations

(1) Brief, D. J., et al. (2013). "Web intervention for OEF/OIF veterans with problem drinking and PTSD symptoms: a randomized clinical trial." J Consult Clin Psychol 81(5): 890-900.

(2) Enggasser, J. L., et al. (2015). "Drinking goal choice and outcomes in a Web-based alcohol intervention: results from VetChange." Addict Behav 42: 63-68.

(3) Brief, D. J., et al. (2011). "Web-Based Intervention for Returning Veterans with Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Risky Alcohol Use." Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 41(4): 237-246.