Effects of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Harmful Alcohol Use and Alcohol Dependence as Self-help or With Therapist Guidance: Three-Armed Randomized Trial.

Background: Alcohol use is a major contributor to health loss. Many persons with harmful use or alcohol dependence do not obtain treatment because of limited availability or stigma. They may use internet-based interventions as an alternative way of obtaining support.

Impact of Users' Attitudes Toward Anonymous Internet Interventions for Cannabis vs. Alcohol Use: A Secondary Analysis of Data From Two Clinical Trials.

Numerous trials have demonstrated the efficacy of internet interventions targeting alcohol or cannabis use, yet a substantial proportion of users do not benefit from the format, warranting further research to identify moderators of treatment effects. Users' initial attitudes toward treatment is a potential moderator, yet no previous study has investigated users' attitudes in the context of internet interventions for addictive disorders. In this secondary analysis on two internet-based trials targeting harmful alcohol use ( = 1,169) and regular cannabis use ( = 303), respectively, we compared user groups' attitudes at the item level; explored within-group heterogeneity by submitting attitude scores to a k-means cluster analysis; and investigated whether latent subgroups in each user group moderated the treatment effects.

Internet-based therapy versus face-to-face therapy for alcohol use disorder, a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background And Aims: Most people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are never treated. Internet-based interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption and could help to overcome some of the barriers to people not seeking or receiving treatment. The aim of the current study was to compare internet-delivered and face-to-face treatment among adult users with AUD.

Promoting Evidence-Based Practice for Improved Occupational Safety and Health at Workplaces in Sweden. Report on a Practice-Based Research Network Approach.

Despite the rapid growth in research and R&D expenditures, the translation of research into practice is limited. One approach to increase the translation and utilization of research is practice based research networks. With the aim of strengthening evidence-based practice (EBP) within occupational health services in Sweden (OH-Services), a practice-based research network (PBRN-OSH) was developed.

Guided web-based treatment program for reducing cannabis use: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance for adults and adolescents with regular cannabis use from the general population.

Methods: A double blinded randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design was conducted (intervention group n = 151, wait-list control group n = 152). Follow-up 12 weeks from treatment commencement of a 13-module intervention.

Dose-Response Characteristics of the Alcohol Biomarker Phosphatidylethanol (PEth)-A Study of Outpatients in Treatment for Reduced Drinking.

Aim: Measurement of whole-blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth) offers high sensitivity and specificity as alcohol biomarker. A remaining issue of importance for the routine application is to better establish the relationship between PEth concentration and amount and duration of drinking.

Methods: The study included 36 subjects (32-83 years) voluntarily attending outpatient treatment for reduced drinking.

Development of evidence-based practice in occupational health services in Sweden: a 3-year follow-up of attitudes, barriers and facilitators.

Purpose: The Swedish government initiated an investigation of how to secure and develop the competence of the occupational health services. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether the development of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the Swedish occupational health services in relation to attitudes, knowledge and use improved during the first 3 years of the government's initiative.

Methods: The study has a mixed methods design combining questionnaires and interviews with data collection at baseline and at 3-year follow-up.

Web-Based Self-Help for Problematic Alcohol Use: a Large Naturalistic Study.

Purpose: This observational study examined user characteristics, intervention use patterns, and variables associated with reductions in alcohol consumption for anonymous Internet help-seekers using a Web-based self-help program.

Method: A Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with eight modules delivered over 10 weeks was offered to participants with at least hazardous use of alcohol according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (n = 4165). At baseline and 10-week follow-up, participants completed the Timeline-followback (TLFB), AUDIT, Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF), Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ), and Readiness Ruler.

Clinical trial of a new technique for drugs of abuse testing: a new possible sampling technique.

Exhaled breath has recently been proposed as a matrix for drug testing. This study aims to further explore, develop and validate exhaled breath as a safe and effective non-invasive method for drug testing in a clinical setting. Self-reported drug use was recorded and drug testing was performed by mass spectrometry and immunochemical methods using breath, plasma and urine samples from 45 individuals voluntarily seeking treatment for recreational drug use.

Screening and brief intervention for risky alcohol consumption in the workplace: results of a 1-year randomized controlled study.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of brief alcohol intervention on hazardous and harmful drinking in the 12-month period after a voluntary alcohol screening.

Methods: At a large transport company, employees presenting to the occupational health services for a routine health and lifestyle check-up were offered to undertake an alcohol screening by means of self-report (the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-AUDIT) and a biomarker (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in serum-CDT). Those screening positive for the AUDIT and/or CDT were randomized to a brief or comprehensive intervention group or to a control group.

Single-session motivational interviewing for drug detoxification inpatients: effects on self-efficacy, stages of change and substance use.

Thirty-five inpatients at a Stockholm hospital drug user detoxification unit received single-session Motivational Interviewing (MI) between 2006 and 2008. At baseline and after 3 months, they were compared to a semi-randomized control group of 52 patients with treatment as usual. In the MI group, self-efficacy increased regarding abstention in connection with positive feelings, appreciation of positive drug effects increased, and participants tended to transition toward preparation/action stages of change.

A comprehensive workplace intervention and its outcome with regard to lifestyle, health and sick leave: the AHA study.

This study is a prospective multicentre cohort study entitled Work and Health in the Processing and Engineering Industries, the AHA Study (AHA is the Swedish abbreviation for the study). Four large workplaces in Sweden participated during the years from 2000 to 2003. The present report has two objectives: (1) to present a comprehensive occupational health intervention programme and (2) to evaluate this programme with a focus on lifestyle (smoking and exercise), health related quality of life (HRQoL) and sick leave.

Towards increased alcohol intervention activity in Swedish occupational health services.

Objectives: To investigate the extent to which Swedish occupational physicians and nurses discuss alcohol issues with their patients, their reasons for and against addressing these issues, their amount of education in handling risky drinking, and factors that they believe could facilitate increased alcohol intervention activity in OHS.

Methods: All Swedish physicians and nurses in OHS were surveyed with a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire was returned by 313 physicians (response rate 54%) and 759 nurses (response rate 69%).

A test of the validity of the motivational interviewing treatment integrity code.

To evaluate the Swedish version of the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Code (MITI), MITI coding was applied to tape-recorded counseling sessions. Construct validity was assessed using factor analysis on 120 MITI-coded sessions. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing MITI coding of motivational interviewing (MI) sessions with information- and advice-giving sessions as well as by comparing MI-trained practitioners with untrained practitioners.

Coding counsellor behaviour in motivational interviewing sessions: inter-rater reliability for the Swedish Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code (MITI).

The aim of this study was to evaluate inter-rater reliability when using the Swedish version of the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Code (MITI) as an adjunct to MI training, clinical practice and research. Coders were trained to use the MITI for scoring taped sessions. The 4-month basic training had a duration of 39 hours.

Screening for high-risk and elevated alcohol consumption in day and shift workers by use of the AUDIT and CDT.

Background: Alcohol consumption levels and drinking patterns have been reported to vary between day and shift workers, although the results have been conflicting. Previous results indicate that questions about alcohol habits may be asked in the workplace. However, no studies have evaluated the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) or the alcohol biomarker carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) in serum for this purpose.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in alcohol-related sickness absence.

Background: Previous studies have shown that elevated, risky levels of alcohol consumption may lead to higher rates of sickness absence. However, no studies have examined the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) or serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) in relation to sickness absence in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sick-days, 12 months before screening, and the AUDIT and CDT (CDTect kit).