Alcohol MisuseNCT07873684
The PSP Alcohol Reset Course
A study testing Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course in people with Alcohol Misuse, run by University of Regina at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
This observational study evaluates an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol misuse adapted for public safety personnel (PSP), called the PSP Alcohol Reset Course. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol Misuse
- What is being tested?
- Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 17 Sep 2026to 31 Mar 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years of age or older;
- Canadian resident;
- Current or former, paid or volunteer PSP;
- Willingness to learn information and skills to self-manage alcohol concerns;
- Have internet access.
Who cannot join
- Current severe medical or psychiatric disorder (e.g. self report current symptoms of mania or psychosis, recent hospitalization for mental health concerns, actively suicidal, medical condition client thinks will interfere with treatment, severe substance use);
- Unable to read and understand English. (All content is provided in English and staff is English speaking; pending findings of the research we will explore translating the course into French).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2
Heather D Hadjistavropoulos, 306-585-5133, amd271@uregina.ca
About this study
Official title: The Alcohol Reset Course: Examining the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness When Tailored for Public Safety Personnel
This observational study evaluates an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol misuse adapted for public safety personnel (PSP), called the PSP Alcohol Reset Course. The primary objective of the study is to examine the treatment engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction of the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course when offered to PSP.
Read the detailed description
Background: Public safety personnel (PSP) refer to individuals who ensure the safety and security of their citizens (e.g., border services officers, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police). These occupations often require long and irregular hours (e.g., shift work) which can negatively impact daily functioning and work performance. PSP also experience increased exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) which can increase risk for mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress) and alcohol misuse.
Alcohol misuse is a common and disabling problem provincially and globally and refers to alcohol consumption that causes harm to the drinker, others, and/or greater society. It is the third leading risk factor for burden of disease and is a major public health concern among Canadians - especially those working in high stress occupations, such as public safety, where alcohol use is often embedded within cultural and social norms.
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) shows considerable promise as a convenient treatment for alcohol misuse. In this form of treatment, clients complete online lessons over several weeks that assist patients in developing skills to address alcohol misuse. The overall goal of ICBT for alcohol misuse is typically behavioural change measured in terms of reduction of drinks consumed, as opposed to abstinence. These interventions can be delivered efficiently with or without therapist support. In a previous factorial trial by the Online Therapy Unit, patients were randomized to: 1) complete an assessment interview or not; and 2) receive support from a health educator or to complete a self-guided version of the Alcohol Change Course. Findings showed promising outcomes across treatment conditions - but interested parties (e.g., clients, providers, academics) highlighted the importance of ICBT specialized for the unique needs of PSP.
Research purpose: The purpose of this research project is to offer and evaluate an ICBT program for alcohol misuse, Alcohol Reset, for PSP. Key objectives of this trial are to:
- tailor the Alcohol Reset lessons and case stories for PSP, and
- examine treatment engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction of the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course.
Research questions: The primary research questions to be answered are:
- What are the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of PSP who enroll in the Alcohol Reset Course?
- What is the uptake and completion rates of PSP in the Alcohol Reset Course?
- Does participation in the PSP Alcohol Reset Course result in clinically significant reductions in alcohol misuse after 6 weeks and 12 weeks?
- Does the PSP Alcohol Reset Course impact secondary mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress) after 6 weeks and 12 weeks?
- How acceptable is the PSP Alcohol Reset Course, as assessed via participants' ratings and feedback on likes and dislikes about the content and therapeutic process?
Intervention description: This observational pilot trial explores aspects of the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course within a naturalistic online routine care setting for 6 months. All clients will receive the same PSP Alcohol Reset Course, a six-week, self-guided, ICBT program which supports clients in self-managing alcohol concerns and reducing their alcohol consumption. The PSP Alcohol Reset Course is based upon an existing ICBT program for alcohol misuse, the Alcohol Change Course. The Alcohol Change Course was first developed and evaluated in Switzerland and was then adapted for the Canadian context by the Online Therapy Unit (OTU) out of the University of Regina. The OTU's Alcohol Change Course was adapted to create the Alcohol Reset Course by tailoring content to the PSP context (e.g., by including relevant statistics and literature pertaining to alcohol use in PSP). The PSP Alcohol Reset Course contains six lessons that provide: 1) psychoeducation on alcohol and opportunities for reflection and goal setting; 2) information on managing risk situations and increasing positive activities; 3) information on alcohol refusal, strategies for managing cravings, and strategies for improving social connections; 4) information on thought monitoring and challenging; 5) information on stress and strategies for problem-solving; 6) information on relapse prevention and opportunities to reflect on the Course experience. Lessons will be released gradually in a standardized order, with one lesson released each week for six weeks. Regular automatic emails inform clients about upcoming lessons. It is recommended that clients allocate one hour to review Course materials and additional time (determined by the client) to practice strategies each week. Each of the 6 lessons offers worksheets designed to facilitate skill acquisition. Clients will not receive therapist support/guidance during the 6-week intervention. Clients will no longer have access to the PSP Alcohol Reset Course after 26 weeks.
Study methods and procedures:
- Prospective participants will self-refer after learning about the resource from information on the PSPNET website, PSPNET social media, or family members, community organizations, colleagues, or healthcare providers who will be informed of the study through presentations, posters, flyers, social media, emails, newsletters, or word-of-mouth.
- Interested individuals can create a PSPNET account to complete informed consent and the online screening on our web application (https://courses.pspnet.ca/create-account).
- Interested individuals will be presented with a consent form before initiating the online screening to explain the process and provide information regarding confidentiality, limits of confidentiality, risks of participating, and data storage procedures.
- After interested individuals have consented to screening, they will be given access to the online screening questionnaires that assess a variety of clinical characteristics pre-treatment. Participants who meet inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the program.
- All participants who take part in the PSP Alcohol Reset Course will be asked to complete weekly questionnaires, with additional questionnaires delivered after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. All questionnaires will be administered online using the PSPNET web application. Manual emails and calls will be sent to remind participants of any active or incomplete surveys.
- Individual interviews (~30 minutes) will be conducted to explore participant experiences with the PSP Alcohol Reset Course. Participants will receive the interview invitation from the PSPNET email ~6 to 8 weeks after treatment to the email address they provided when creating their PSPNET account. Consenting interview participants will be asked to schedule an interview with a research team member.
- Once there are 60 participants, the team will evaluate how participants engage with the PSP Alcohol Reset Course over time. Due to the naturalistic online routine care setting of the PSP Alcohol Reset Course, participants will continue to be accepted past the initial 60 participants.
Significance: Potential significance of this project includes, but is not limited to:
- improved access to free, accessible, and confidential mental health treatment specialized for Canadian PSP;
- increased knowledge about PSP alcohol use and misuse rates across sample characteristics;
- increased knowledge about PSP engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction in ICBT for treating alcohol use; and
- inform further optimization of ICBT for alcohol use.
- Conditions
- Alcohol Misuse
- Being tested
- Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course
- Keywords
- Internet, Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy, Digital Mental Health Interventions, Alcohol Misuse, Substance Misuse, Public Safety Personnel
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset CourseBehavioural
The PSP Alcohol Reset Course is a six-week, self-guided, ICBT program which supports clients in self-managing alcohol concerns and reducing their alcohol consumption. Clients will receive access to 6 ICBT core lessons and 6 associated worksheets to enhance skill acquisition. The 6 lessons and 6 associated worksheets are released at a rate of 1 per week. Clients will not receive therapist support/guidance during the 6-week intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ICBT for PSP with Alcohol Concerns | Experimental | Tailored, self-guided, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for PSP with Alcohol Concerns (Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course) Receives: Behavioral: Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Preceding-Week Number of Standard Drinks from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-week alcohol consumption in terms of the total number of standard drinks consumed during the previous 7 days. Measured using the adapted Timeline Followback (TLFB).
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Preceding-Week Heavy Drinking Days from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-week alcohol consumption in terms of the total number of heavy drinking days during the previous 7 days. Measured using the adapted Timeline Followback (TLFB).
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Secondary outcomes (11)
Change in Preceding-Week Alcohol Craving Levels from Baseline to Weeks 6 and 12
Change in preceding-week alcohol craving levels (i.e., frequency, severity, and duration) during the previous 7 days. Measured using the Penn Craving Alcohol Scale (PCAS). Includes 5 items with response options ranging from 0 to 6. Items are summed to compute a total score ranging between 0-30, and higher total scores indicate higher levels of alcohol craving.
Measured: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Change in Preceding-Year Alcohol-Related Problems and Behaviours from Baseline to Week 6
Change in preceding-year alcohol-related problems and behaviours (i.e., quantity of alcohol consumption, functional and health consequences of alcohol consumption). Measured using the modified Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Self Report (AUDIT - SR - Modified). Includes up to 15 items with varied response options. Ten items are summed to compute a total score ranging from 0-40. Greater scores indicate greater alcohol problems.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Preceding-Two-Week Depressive Symptom Levels from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-two-week depressive symptom levels (i.e., frequency of several symptoms). Measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 Item (PHQ-9). Includes 9 items with response options ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Items are summed to compute a total score ranging from 0-27, and higher total scores indicate more severe self-reported levels of depressive symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Preceding-Two-Week Generalized Anxiety Symptom Levels from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-two-week generalized anxiety symptom levels (i.e., frequency of several symptoms). Measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 Items (GAD-7). Includes 7 items with response options ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Items are summed to compute a total score ranging from 0-21 and higher total scores indicate more severe self-reported levels of anxiety symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Preceding-Week Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Levels from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-week posttraumatic stress symptom levels (i.e., severity of several symptoms). Measured using the PTSD Checklist Civilian - Short Version (PCL5-C-SV). Includes 6 items with response options ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). Items are summed to compute a total score ranging from 6-30 and higher total scores indicate more severe self-reported levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Overall Functional Impairment from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Description: Change in overall functional impairment (i.e., severity of difficulties related to work, social, and daily living activities due to mental health problems). Measured using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). Includes 5 items with response options ranging from 0 (no impairment) to 8 (severe impairment). Items are summed to compute a total score ranging from 0-40 and higher total scores indicate more severe levels of impairment.
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Baseline Level of Drug Use
Clients' level of drug use (i.e., frequency and duration of drug use) at baseline. Includes up to 9 items with varied response formats. Four items are summed to compute a total score ranging from 0-16, with higher scores indicating higher levels of drug use. Levels of drug use will be reported descriptively.
Measured: Baseline
Clients' Goals for Alcohol Use at Baseline and Weeks 3 and 6
Clients' goals for alcohol use at baseline and weeks 3 and 6, as measured with the Change Goal Questionnaire. Includes one item inquiring about whether the client's goal is to quit drinking alcohol completely, reduce alcohol consumption, maintain changes already made, learn more about alcohol and strategies for change, or another goal (with an additional follow-up item administered to clients endorsing this goal requesting specification). This brief questionnaire has been developed by the research team and does not have a total score. Goals related to alcohol use will be reported descriptively. .
Measured: Baseline and Weeks 3 and 6
Clients' Perceptions and Attitudes Towards ICBT at Baseline
Clients' perceptions and attitudes towards ICBT (i.e., motivations for enrollment in ICBT, ratings of likelihood that ICBT will improve lifestyle and functioning, expected success of ICBT, level of confidence recommending ICBT to a friend, concerns related to participation in ICBT) as measured with the ICBT Feedback Questionnaire at baseline. Includes 13 items with varied response formats and does not have a total score. Item-level responses will be reported descriptively.
Measured: Baseline
Client Satisfaction with the PSP Alcohol Reset Course at Weeks 3 and 6
Clients' satisfaction with the PSP Alcohol Reset course at Week 3 (i.e., perception that treatment was worth time and improved confidence managing alcohol use) and Week 6 (i.e., perceptions that treatment was worthwhile, improved confidence managing alcohol use, whether clients would recommend it to a friend, impact of course on future treatment seeking, whether clients experienced negative side effects, and open-ended items regarding aspects of the course perceived as helpful, liked, and disliked) as measured with the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. Includes 11-14 items with varied response formats and does not have a total score. Item-level responses will be reported descriptively.
Measured: Week 3 (two items only) and Week 6
Client Sociodemographic and Occupational Characteristics
Information on client sociodemographic and occupational characteristics (e.g., age, years of public safety service experience) will be collected. No scores are calculated. Item-level responses will be reported descriptively.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Oct 2026
- Study start17 Sep 2026
- Primary completion31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alcohol MisuseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Regina
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Government of Canada
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Heather D Hadjistavropoulos, Principal investigator, heather.hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07873684
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-2018
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
World Health Organization. Global status report on alcohol and health 2014. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014.
Carey MG, Al-Zaiti SS, Dean GE, Sessanna L, Finnell DS. Sleep problems, depression, substance use, social bonding, and quality of life in professional firefighters. J Occup Environ Med. 2011 Aug;53(8):928-33. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e318225898f.
PubMed 21785370
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Alcohol Reset Course: Examining the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness When Tailored for Public Safety Personnel
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07873684
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026-2018
- Conditions
- Alcohol Misuse
- Keywords
- Internet, Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy, Digital Mental Health Interventions, Alcohol Misuse, Substance Misuse, Public Safety Personnel
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ReginaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Government of Canada
- Study start
- 17 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This observational study evaluates an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol misuse adapted for public safety personnel (PSP), called the PSP Alcohol Reset Course. The primary objective of the study is to examine the treatment engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction of the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course when offered to PSP.
Detailed description
Background: Public safety personnel (PSP) refer to individuals who ensure the safety and security of their citizens (e.g., border services officers, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police). These occupations often require long and irregular hours (e.g., shift work) which can negatively impact daily functioning and work performance. PSP also experience increased exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) which can increase risk for mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress) and alcohol misuse.
Alcohol misuse is a common and disabling problem provincially and globally and refers to alcohol consumption that causes harm to the drinker, others, and/or greater society. It is the third leading risk factor for burden of disease and is a major public health concern among Canadians - especially those working in high stress occupations, such as public safety, where alcohol use is often embedded within cultural and social norms.
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) shows considerable promise as a convenient treatment for alcohol misuse. In this form of treatment, clients complete online lessons over several weeks that assist patients in developing skills to address alcohol misuse. The overall goal of ICBT for alcohol misuse is typically behavioural change measured in terms of reduction of drinks consumed, as opposed to abstinence. These interventions can be delivered efficiently with or without therapist support. In a previous factorial trial by the Online Therapy Unit, patients were randomized to: 1) complete an assessment interview or not; and 2) receive support from a health educator or to complete a self-guided version of the Alcohol Change Course. Findings showed promising outcomes across treatment conditions - but interested parties (e.g., clients, providers, academics) highlighted the importance of ICBT specialized for the unique needs of PSP.
Research purpose: The purpose of this research project is to offer and evaluate an ICBT program for alcohol misuse, Alcohol Reset, for PSP. Key objectives of this trial are to:
- tailor the Alcohol Reset lessons and case stories for PSP, and
- examine treatment engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction of the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course.
Research questions: The primary research questions to be answered are:
- What are the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of PSP who enroll in the Alcohol Reset Course?
- What is the uptake and completion rates of PSP in the Alcohol Reset Course?
- Does participation in the PSP Alcohol Reset Course result in clinically significant reductions in alcohol misuse after 6 weeks and 12 weeks?
- Does the PSP Alcohol Reset Course impact secondary mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress) after 6 weeks and 12 weeks?
- How acceptable is the PSP Alcohol Reset Course, as assessed via participants' ratings and feedback on likes and dislikes about the content and therapeutic process?
Intervention description: This observational pilot trial explores aspects of the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course within a naturalistic online routine care setting for 6 months. All clients will receive the same PSP Alcohol Reset Course, a six-week, self-guided, ICBT program which supports clients in self-managing alcohol concerns and reducing their alcohol consumption. The PSP Alcohol Reset Course is based upon an existing ICBT program for alcohol misuse, the Alcohol Change Course. The Alcohol Change Course was first developed and evaluated in Switzerland and was then adapted for the Canadian context by the Online Therapy Unit (OTU) out of the University of Regina. The OTU's Alcohol Change Course was adapted to create the Alcohol Reset Course by tailoring content to the PSP context (e.g., by including relevant statistics and literature pertaining to alcohol use in PSP). The PSP Alcohol Reset Course contains six lessons that provide: 1) psychoeducation on alcohol and opportunities for reflection and goal setting; 2) information on managing risk situations and increasing positive activities; 3) information on alcohol refusal, strategies for managing cravings, and strategies for improving social connections; 4) information on thought monitoring and challenging; 5) information on stress and strategies for problem-solving; 6) information on relapse prevention and opportunities to reflect on the Course experience. Lessons will be released gradually in a standardized order, with one lesson released each week for six weeks. Regular automatic emails inform clients about upcoming lessons. It is recommended that clients allocate one hour to review Course materials and additional time (determined by the client) to practice strategies each week. Each of the 6 lessons offers worksheets designed to facilitate skill acquisition. Clients will not receive therapist support/guidance during the 6-week intervention. Clients will no longer have access to the PSP Alcohol Reset Course after 26 weeks.
Study methods and procedures:
- Prospective participants will self-refer after learning about the resource from information on the PSPNET website, PSPNET social media, or family members, community organizations, colleagues, or healthcare providers who will be informed of the study through presentations, posters, flyers, social media, emails, newsletters, or word-of-mouth.
- Interested individuals can create a PSPNET account to complete informed consent and the online screening on our web application (https://courses.pspnet.ca/create-account).
- Interested individuals will be presented with a consent form before initiating the online screening to explain the process and provide information regarding confidentiality, limits of confidentiality, risks of participating, and data storage procedures.
- After interested individuals have consented to screening, they will be given access to the online screening questionnaires that assess a variety of clinical characteristics pre-treatment. Participants who meet inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the program.
- All participants who take part in the PSP Alcohol Reset Course will be asked to complete weekly questionnaires, with additional questionnaires delivered after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. All questionnaires will be administered online using the PSPNET web application. Manual emails and calls will be sent to remind participants of any active or incomplete surveys.
- Individual interviews (~30 minutes) will be conducted to explore participant experiences with the PSP Alcohol Reset Course. Participants will receive the interview invitation from the PSPNET email ~6 to 8 weeks after treatment to the email address they provided when creating their PSPNET account. Consenting interview participants will be asked to schedule an interview with a research team member.
- Once there are 60 participants, the team will evaluate how participants engage with the PSP Alcohol Reset Course over time. Due to the naturalistic online routine care setting of the PSP Alcohol Reset Course, participants will continue to be accepted past the initial 60 participants.
Significance: Potential significance of this project includes, but is not limited to:
- improved access to free, accessible, and confidential mental health treatment specialized for Canadian PSP;
- increased knowledge about PSP alcohol use and misuse rates across sample characteristics;
- increased knowledge about PSP engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction in ICBT for treating alcohol use; and
- inform further optimization of ICBT for alcohol use.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ICBT for PSP with Alcohol Concerns | Experimental | Behavioral: Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset CourseTailored, self-guided, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for PSP with Alcohol Concerns (Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 18 years of age or older;
- Canadian resident;
- Current or former, paid or volunteer PSP;
- Willingness to learn information and skills to self-manage alcohol concerns;
- Have internet access.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Current severe medical or psychiatric disorder (e.g. self report current symptoms of mania or psychosis, recent hospitalization for mental health concerns, actively suicidal, medical condition client thinks will interfere with treatment, severe substance use);
- Unable to read and understand English. (All content is provided in English and staff is English speaking; pending findings of the research we will explore translating the course into French).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset CourseThe PSP Alcohol Reset Course is a six-week, self-guided, ICBT program which supports clients in self-managing alcohol concerns and reducing their alcohol consumption. Clients will receive access to 6 ICBT core lessons and 6 associated worksheets to enhance skill acquisition. The 6 lessons and 6 associated worksheets are released at a rate of 1 per week. Clients will not receive therapist support/guidance during the 6-week intervention. | Behavioural | ICBT for PSP with Alcohol Concerns |
Primary outcome
Change in Preceding-Week Number of Standard Drinks from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-week alcohol consumption in terms of the total number of standard drinks consumed during the previous 7 days. Measured using the adapted Timeline Followback (TLFB).
Change in Preceding-Week Heavy Drinking Days from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in preceding-week alcohol consumption in terms of the total number of heavy drinking days during the previous 7 days. Measured using the adapted Timeline Followback (TLFB).
11 secondary outcomes
Change in Preceding-Week Alcohol Craving Levels from Baseline to Weeks 6 and 12
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Change in Preceding-Year Alcohol-Related Problems and Behaviours from Baseline to Week 6
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Preceding-Two-Week Depressive Symptom Levels from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Preceding-Two-Week Generalized Anxiety Symptom Levels from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Preceding-Week Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Levels from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Change in Overall Functional Impairment from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
Baseline Level of Drug Use
Time frame: Baseline
Clients' Goals for Alcohol Use at Baseline and Weeks 3 and 6
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3 and 6
Clients' Perceptions and Attitudes Towards ICBT at Baseline
Time frame: Baseline
Client Satisfaction with the PSP Alcohol Reset Course at Weeks 3 and 6
Time frame: Week 3 (two items only) and Week 6
Client Sociodemographic and Occupational Characteristics
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Oct 2026.
- BackgroundWorld Health Organization. Global status report on alcohol and health 2014. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014.
- Background: PubMed 21785370Carey MG, Al-Zaiti SS, Dean GE, Sessanna L, Finnell DS. Sleep problems, depression, substance use, social bonding, and quality of life in professional firefighters. J Occup Environ Med. 2011 Aug;53(8):928-33. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e318225898f.
- Additional information about the self-guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Heather D Hadjistavropoulos principal investigator
heather.hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course in people with Alcohol Misuse, run by University of Regina at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Heather D Hadjistavropoulos (306-585-5133, heather.hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Preceding-Week Number of Standard Drinks from Baseline to Weeks 3, 6, and 12 (time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07873684, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Oct 2026.