Frequently Asked Questions

Smiling, happy man (Getty Images)What's in it for me?

You will receive 12 individual treatment sessions for free and the opportunity to develop a sober lifestyle. In addition, you will be compensated for participating in the follow-up interviews and interactive voice recordings.

What are my responsibilities?

You are expected to come to all of your therapy and research appointments on time and in a sober condition. We offer day and evening appointments because we understand people have busy schedules.

What about my privacy?

The IATP II takes privacy very seriously. We will make every effort to maintain your confidentiality. Code numbers are used instead of names on all research information collected.

Will I have to pay for my treatment?

No! There is no charge for any of the treatment you will receive as part of the study.

How much does it cost?

There are no costs for you to participate in the project.

Is the program private?

Researchers will make every effort to maintain your confidentiality. Your research records will be coded with a number based on the order in which you called the project. In addition, our project has received a Certificate of Confidentiality from the federal government.

How long is the program?

Your treatment will be 12 weekly sessions followed by research follow-up interviews every three months lasting 21 months. You will be paid for completing the follow-up interviews.

Why do I have to call into the interactive voice recording?

The pre-treatment calls are intended to gather information about your drinking, as well as your thoughts and feelings about drinking, and about the places or situations where you spend your time. During treatment, your therapist will ask you to work on new skills between your treatment sessions to help you stay sober. Upon treatment completion, you will be asked to call in to the IVR system just like the pre-treatment calls. The goal of the calls is to see if we can make lasting changes in the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings of our patients.

Is my health insurance contacted?

No.

Can I get written documentation that I am participating in an alcohol treatment program?

Yes. However, you have to give written permission for us to release any of your private information.

Is there public transportation to UConn Health?

Yes. In addition, we can provide bus tokens.

What happens if I come to an appointment with an elevated blood alcohol level?

If your blood alcohol level registers above .07, and you have no safe means of transportation, you will be asked to wait until your blood alcohol level drops before you leave the building. If you are intoxicated at a treatment session or follow-up, and you are judged a danger to yourself, you may be taken to the ER for observation and/or treatment.

What happens if I need more intensive treatment?

The research staff and therapist will monitor participants during treatment and during follow-up interviews for signs of deterioration, and will refer you to more intensive treatment if necessary. If you are referred to treatment outside the study, you will be responsible for the cost of that treatment.

Why do I need to come back for follow-up interviews after my treatment is completed?

Much of this project is devoted to seeing if we can make lasting changes in the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings of our patients. In order to see if these changes occur, and if they last, we ask participants to complete follow-up interviews every three months for 21 months. The follow-up interviews alternate between in-person interviews (participants are paid $50 for each one) and phone interviews (participants are paid $10 for each one).

Is there medication in this program?

No. There is no medication involved in this research project.

Why do you record the treatment sessions?

All in-person research interviews and treatment sessions are recorded for the purpose of evaluating the services you receive. Recordings will be deleted upon study completion.

Are the therapists experienced?

All treatment is delivered by highly experienced therapists who have been specially trained to provide the treatments used in this study.

Can I be in the study if my goal is to cut down on my drinking?

The goal of the treatments we offer is to help you abstain from drinking. However, reducing your drinking can be a beneficial outcome from treatment.

What times are the treatment sessions?

We offer morning, afternoon, and evening appointments Monday through Friday. At times, there may be a short wait to free up a time slot you request.

What is the goal of this research?

The goal of this study is to determine which of the three treatments we offer is most effective for treating alcohol problems.

How can the IATP II help me during the follow-up period if I need additional treatment?

We can refer you to programs that offer treatment for alcohol and a variety of other issues you may have.

Can I drop out of the study?

You are free to stop taking part in the study at any time. However, your feedback during the follow-up interviews are extremely important to our research regardless of the number of treatment sessions you attended. The feedback of all participants is valuable to us.

Who can I contact if I have concerns about the study?

If you have any questions, complaints, or concerns about the research, you can call Dr. Mark Litt at 860-679-4680 or Dr. Elise Kabela-Cormier at 860-679-2657. If you have questions about your rights as a research subject, you may contact the Institution Review Board at 860-679-1019 or 860-679-4851.

What happens if I have to miss a treatment session?

We ask that you make every effort to contact your therapist if you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment. You have 14 weeks to complete your 12 sessions.

Can I be kicked out of the program?

The researcher may ask you to discontinue participating in this study. This can happen if your alcohol or drug abuse worsens significantly, and it is determined that a more intensive treatment is needed to protect your safety.

What should I do if I need help in an emergency or in a crisis?

You can call the IATP II Clinical Coordinator at 860-679-2657 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and between 9 a.m. and  2:30 p.m. For problems arising at other times for which you may need immediate attention, please go to an Emergency Room for assistance. You also can contact the following crisis hotlines (available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week): Infoline – dial 211 or 800-203-1234, Wheeler Clinic Helpline 860-747-3434 or 860-524-1182.

Is any of my personal identifying information used when the research results are published?

Your personal identifying information will not appear in any publication.