The Efficacy of CBT-I in Alcoholics & Its Effects on Remission & Relapse

Insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder in those recovering from alcoholism. It has been associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as an increased risk of relapse back to the drinking. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a non-pharmacologic approach is the recommended standard of care for insomnia. Some preliminary studies have shown that CBT-I may be efficacious for insomnia during recovery. The current study proposes to use a standard 8-week CBT-I to treat the insomnia with a post-treatment follow-up at 3- and 6-months (after treatment). Further, it will evaluate if an improvement in the insomnia is associated with an improvement in the underling alcoholism and the daytime functioning. On an exploratory basis, the association of a first-degree family history of alcoholism with the insomnia severity and treatment response will also be evaluated.