An interventional study of Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course in Alcohol Misuse, sponsored by University of Regina. Recruiting at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-14.
Sponsored by University of Regina · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
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:
Research questions: The primary research questions to be answered are:
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:
Significance: Potential significance of this project includes, but is not limited to:
University of Regina is the lead sponsor of 58 studies on the registry; 24 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Tailored, self-guided, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for PSP with Alcohol Concerns (Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course)
Behavioral: Self-Guided PSP Alcohol Reset Course
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.
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).
Time frame: 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).
Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 3, 6, and 12
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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
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
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.
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
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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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. .
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: Baseline
Plan to share: No
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