“Take Care of You” – Efficacy of integrated, minimal-guidance, internet-based self-help for reducing co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression symptoms in adults: Results of a three-arm randomized controlled trial

Depression and harmful alcohol use are two of the top five leading causes years life lost to disability in high-income countries. Integrated treatment targeting both at same time is often considered more complicated difficult and, therefore, expensive. Consequently, integrated internet-based interventions could be a valuable addition traditional care. A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing effectiveness (1) an integrated, minimal-guidance, adherence-focused self-help intervention designed reduce depression symptoms (AFGE-AD); (2) similar only (AFGE-AO), (3) internet access as usual (IAU) control condition, least moderately depressed misusers from February 2016—March 2020. We recruited 689 (51.6 % males, mean age = 42.8 years) with moderate not otherwise general population. Six months after baseline, 288 subjects (41.8 %) were reachable for final assessment. All yielded reduced alcohol-use six (AFGE-AD: -16.6; AFGE-AO: -19.8; IAU: -13.2). Those who undertook active-interventions reported significantly fewer standard drinks than controls p .048, d=0.10; .004, d=0.20). The active-intervention groups also less severe .006, d=0.41; .008, d=0.43). Testing revealed noninferiority between interventions. This study documented sustained first fully developed reduction adult