Feasibility and acceptability of MindReach: a telephone-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) workbook intervention for alcohol and other drug use

Alcohol and other drug use, mental health symptoms and comorbidity have a significant impact on the individual and society. Telehealth interventions are effective and reduce barriers to accessing care. This pilot study evaluated feasibility and acceptability of MindReach, which is a telephone-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) workbook intervention for alcohol and other drug use, with or without comorbid mental health symptoms. Eighteen participants were recruited from current clients of the MindReach program at Hunter Primary Care. The feasibility of the study protocol, and the feasibility and acceptability of the MindReach intervention, were examined in a non-randomised single-group design. There was differential support for the feasibility of the study protocol and MindReach intervention. The outcomes for the study protocol feasibility demonstrated that the recruitment rate was lower than expected and all participants were retained until the end of the study. The outcomes for the intervention feasibility demonstrated that appointment attendance was comparable to similar interventions and that treatment attrition was higher than anticipated, although not surprising in the context of a population experiencing comorbidity. MindReach was acceptable to participants as evidenced by therapeutic alliance and high levels of client satisfaction. This pilot study adds to current literature on the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered CBT treatments. A larger-scale evaluation of MindReach is recommended to assess clinical outcomes.