Relational Agent for Alcohol Screening and Treatment (RAAST)
Unhealthy Alcohol Use, Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Disorders
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Unhealthy Alcohol Use focused on measuring alcohol, substance use, eHealth
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Veterans receiving Primary Care at VA Boston Healthcare System.
- age 18 years or older,
- having a primary care provider at any primary care clinic in VABHCS,
- having a positive screen on the AUDIT-C.
- have a stable address and/or phone number for 6 months
- willing to provide the contact information for at least one locator
Exclusion Criteria:
The investigators will exclude Veterans with cognitive impairment that would preclude their ability to use the Relational Agent
- The investigators will use their ability to read and understand the consent form as a screen for this.
- In the investigators' pilot studies, the use of the 6-item screener did not result in excluding anyone.
- no substance abuse treatment in the last 30 days
Sites / Locations
- VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Relational Agent plus Treatment as Usual
Treatment as Usual
Relational Agents are onscreen characters that speak to the patient and establish a "relationship" with them. They have been used to improve several health behaviors including diet and exercise, and can overcome communication barriers related to low levels of computer literacy. The Relational Agent can be placed on a desktop or tablet computer with a touch screen, on which patients indicate their responses. Using Motivational Interviewing and behavior change principles, the Relational Agent guides patients to consider change.
Patients are routinely screened yearly for unhealthy alcohol use. Providers are prompted to provide elements of a brief intervention if the patient scores 5 or above on the AUDIT-C. Providers are also prompted to refer patients if they meet certain criteria for specialty alcohol treatment.