This pilot study aims to develop and refine ACT for use in alcohol dependence, including optimal delivery and target population; to conduct a preliminary randomised controlled trial (RCT) to establish the effect size of ACT versus standard treatment and establish potential recruitment across 6 sites, to advise a definitive RCT.

Alcohol dependence causes significant harm to individuals, their families and communities, contributing to morbidity, mortality and health and wider societal costs. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is effective in reducing the impact of severe mental illness on symptomatology, hospital bed use and quality of life, and treatment engagement but evidence for ACT for severe alcohol dependence is lacking.

The RCT recruits a sample of 90 male and female alcohol dependent adults with one or more previous episodes of treatment within the past five years in community drug and alcohol services.

Start date: 12/12/2009 End date: 11/01/2012

Funder: Medical Research Council (via King's College London)

Funding: £8344

Publication: Assertive community treatment in alcohol dependence

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