ADEPT (Alcohol use disorder and DEpression Prevention and Treatment)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ADEPT: Using complexity science and digital technology to improve co-morbid Alcohol use disorder and DEpression Prevention and Treatment
IRAS ID
295284
Contact name
Amy O'Donnell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression frequently co-occur, resulting in adverse impacts on individuals, communities, and the health and social care system. Yet despite the existence of effective treatments for these conditions, evidence-based interventions remain poorly implemented, with service users and providers reporting fragmented delivery of services. Improved integration of substance use and mental health services has been identified as a top UK and global policy priority.
Better understanding the complex AUD and depression prevention and treatment system, and harnessing available digital technology, including electronic interventions, could potentially support this ambition. However, future initiatives must actively involve providers and users in their development to ensure relevance, feasibility, and legitimacy.
The aim of the National Institute for Health Research funded ‘ADEPT’ Study is to use complex systems approaches to better understand the challenges that service users/providers currently experience in accessing/delivering care for people with co-occurring AUD and depression, focusing on the North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care System area (NENC ICS).
A cross-sectional survey questionnaire will be administered to organizations that provide services/support for this population. Questions will capture data on key organizational characteristics (sector, services, location) as well as to enable assessment of the inter-organisational relationships that exist across the NENC ICS. Data will be captured in an online survey platform, managed in Microsoft Excel, and converted to UCINET for social network analysis purposes.
Next, we will conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20-25 service providers and 35-40 patients/service users, to explore their views on/experiences of accessing/providing co-morbid AUD and depression services in the NENC ICS, and their perspectives on using digital technology to improve care.
Findings will be published in academic journals, in policy briefs and lay summaries, and will inform subsequent phases of research not covered by this application.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0064
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion