Behavioral activation for depression delivered by drug and alcohol treatment workers: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: One in two patients seeking help for substance use disorders (SUDs) has clinically significant depression symptoms. This co-occurrence impairs treatment outcomes, but limited evaluation of the implementation of evidence-based interventions has taken place.

Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed the feasibility and potential efficacy of a brief, protocol-driven behavioral activation (BA) intervention delivered by drug and alcohol workers in a community drug and alcohol treatment (CDAT) service.

Is behavioral activation an effective and acceptable treatment for co-occurring depression and substance use disorders? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Depression often co-occurs with substance use problems and is associated with poor treatment outcomes. While the efficacy of behavioral activation (BA) has been tested in clinical trials with substance users, outcomes have not yet been quantitatively synthesized.

Methods: The study team performed a random effects meta-analysis of the randomized clinical trial evidence base.