People who drink when they feel 'down' needed for study

People who have difficulty controlling how much they drink when they feel 'down' are needed for a new University of Queensland study.

'It's hard enough to start an attempt to control an alcohol problem, but people often find it even harder to keep in control. After treatment for alcohol problems, about two-thirds of people go back to uncontrolled drinking within three months,' Psychiatry Department Associate Professor David Kavanagh said.

'Often the times when people feel upset or unhappy are the hardest. Not only do they feel least able to keep trying - it often seems like a drink might actually make them feel better.'

A new $184,452 research study based at the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney is looking at treatments for this problem. Dr Kavanagh, Professor John Saunders and Dr Ross Young from the Psychiatry Department are the senior investigators in Brisbane. The three-year project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, with a budget of over $70,000 in the first year.

'The treatment is for people whose alcohol use is causing them problems, but who do not have a high level of physical dependence on alcohol. It aims at moderation drinking rather than abstinence,' Dr Kavanagh said.

'We are looking for people who have difficulty controlling how much they drink when they feel ?down'.'

Dr Kavanagh said the team was testing new approaches to the problem.

'The treatments will involve coming to Royal Brisbane Hospital 10 times over a three-month period. We will also ask people to come for a check at six and 12 months to see how they are going,' he said.

'Everyone who volunteers will receive a treatment that is known to be effective for alcohol problems.'

For further information, contact the research team at the Psychiatry Department (telephone 07 3365 5489).

For more information, contact Dr Kavanagh (telephone 07 3365 5246).