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The SHADE Project: self-help for alcohol/other drug use and depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

F Kay-Lambkin
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle
V Carr
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle NISAD
T Lewin
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle
B Kelly
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, New South Wales, Australia
A Baker
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle
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Abstract

Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

The co-occurrence of depression and alcohol/other drug misuse is more common than expected by chance alone. Despite this, an effective program of treatment is yet to be established for people experiencing this comorbidity. This is a concern, given rates of depression and alcohol misuse are on the increase.

Aim:

This paper will report on the posttreatment alcohol/other drug- and depression-related outcomes of the SHADE project, a large-scale, multisite study of computerized psychological treatment.

Methods:

SHADE participants were those with current levels of depression and current problematic use of alcohol, cannabis or amphetamines. Following an initial assessment, participants received one face-to-face case formulation session with a therapist and were subsequently randomized to receive nine sessions of SHADE therapy through a therapist, nine sessions of SHADE therapy through a computer or nine sessions of person-centered (supportive) counseling. Follow-up occurred at posttreatment, 6- and 12-month follow-up.

Results:

Posttreatment results will be reported for the 250 participants recruited to the study in rural/remote and urban NSW.

Conclusions:

Computerized treatment is not meant as a stand-alone therapy. The results from this study suggest that computer-based interventions can produce important gains for people with depression and alcohol/other drug use comorbidity. Further implications will be discussed.