Addiction DisordersCRAV-ATTNCT07831135
Attachment and Substance Use Disorder: An Interventional Study in an Addictology Day Hospital
A study testing attachment-focused therapeutic program in people with Addiction Disorders, run by Centre Hospitalier de Cadillac at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Introduction: Substance use disorders represent a major public health issue due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Outpatient care, particularly short-term intensive programs integrating multidisciplinary support and craving management workshops, has demonstrated greater effectiveness than inpatient… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Addiction Disorders
- What is being tested?
- attachment-focused therapeutic program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 12 Dec 2025to 9 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18 to 65 years
- Enrolled in a care program at the Addictology Day Hospital of Cadillac Hospital
- Exhibiting an insecure or disorganized attachment style
- Diagnosed with a substance use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- Provided informed consent and signed the consent form
Who cannot join
- Presence of severe cognitive impairments that prevent completion of questionnaires
- Presence of decompensated acute psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, manic episode)
- Currently receiving psychotherapeutic treatment
- Previous participation in attachment-focused interventions (e.g., Lifespan Integration, schema therapy)
- Being pregnant or breastfeeding
- Under legal protection (guardianship, conservatorship, or similar)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Introduction: Substance use disorders represent a major public health issue due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Outpatient care, particularly short-term intensive programs integrating multidisciplinary support and craving management workshops, has demonstrated greater effectiveness than inpatient hospitalization in terms of abstinence, reduction in substance use, and improvement in quality of life (McCarty et al., 2014; Trebalag et al., 2018; Chirokoff et al., 2023). In parallel, the literature suggests a robust association between insecure or disorganized attachment styles and increased vulnerability to the development of addictive disorders (Branstetter et al., 2009; Danielsson et al., 2011; Zhai et al., 2014).
Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 7-week attachment-focused therapeutic program in reducing the severity of substance use disorder among adults with insecure or disorganized attachment styles receiving treatment in an addictology day hospital.
Read more
Method: Through a randomized controlled study, the present research compares two groups: an experimental group receiving a 7-week attachment-focused program (one individual session per week, followed by two hours of weekly group workshops) and a control group receiving the standard care protocol of the addictology day hospital (one 3-hour workshop per week for 7 weeks).
Expected outcomes: The findings of this study are expected to demonstrate the relevance of attachment-focused interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders. This research aims to improve addiction care by integrating relational and emotional dimensions into treatment. Finally, it may contribute to the evolution of clinical practices toward a more relationship-centered approach, with anticipated benefits in terms of treatment retention, relapse reduction, and overall healthcare system efficiency.
- Conditions
- Addiction Disorders
- Being tested
- attachment-focused therapeutic program, psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care)
- Keywords
- Addiction Disorders, Attachment, group intervention, day hospital
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
attachment-focused therapeutic programBehavioural
The attachment-focused therapeutic program evaluated in this study was delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention comprised six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident and either an addiction nurse or an addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident.
psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care)Behavioural
The psychoeducation-focused therapeutic program targeting addictive disorders was also delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention included six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of either two addiction nurses or one addiction nurse and one addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by an addiction nurse.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| attachment-based therapeutic intervention | Experimental | The attachment-focused therapeutic program evaluated in this study was delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention comprised six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident and either an addiction nurse or an addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident. Receives: Behavioral: attachment-focused therapeutic program |
| psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care) | Active comparator | The psychoeducation-focused therapeutic program targeting addictive disorders was also delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention included six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of either two addiction nurses or one addiction nurse and one addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by an addiction nurse. Receives: Behavioral: psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Composite craving score obtained with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
In response to the primary outcome criterion, a composite craving score will be assessed during the experimental and follow-up phases. This score is calculated by the investigator at the end of each follow-up visit and is derived from the participant's self-assessment, completed using a patient diary filled out at home. In this diary, participants record each craving episode and rate its intensity using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no craving) to 10 (intense craving). This VAS has been widely used in craving-related research (Badredine, 2021; Trojak \& Demina, 2025).
Measured: Experimental phase: 7 weeks (equivalent to 1 therapeutic cycle) Follow-up phase: 3 months
Secondary outcomes (6)
Experiences in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) (Fraley et al., 2011)
The Experiences in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) (Fraley et al., 2011) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses attachment style across different types of close relationships (parents, friends, and romantic partners). It consists of 9 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The ECR-RS measures two main dimensions of attachment: anxiety (fear of rejection or abandonment) and avoidance (tendency to avoid intimacy or emotional dependence). High scores on either dimension indicate insecure attachment. The instrument has good psychometric properties, and a French validation was conducted by Lafontaine et al. (2016).
Measured: The ECR-RS will be administered once, prior to the start of the intervention.
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (Bernstein et al., 1994)
The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (Bernstein et al., 1994) is a retrospective self-report questionnaire designed to assess the presence and severity of traumatic experiences during childhood. It consists of 28 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (never true) to 5 (very often true). It assesses five forms of maltreatment: physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect. It also includes a minimization/denial scale designed to detect the underreporting of traumatic experiences. Each subscale provides a specific score, and an overall total score can also be calculated. The CTQ has been validated in French by Paquette et al. (2004).
Measured: The CTQ will be completed a single time before the intervention begins.
Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (MOS-SF 36) (McHorney et al., 1993)
The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (MOS-SF-36) (McHorney et al., 1993) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess quality of life. It consists of 11 questions comprising a total of 36 items. Participants are asked to answer with reference to the previous four weeks across eight subscales: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, perceived health, vitality, social functioning and relationships with others, role limitations due to emotional problems, mental health, and health change.
The recommended scoring system for the MOS-SF-36 uses a weighted Likert scoring system for each item. Items within each subscale are summed to obtain a summary score for each subscale or dimension. Each of the eight summary scores is then transformed to a scale ranging from 0 (negative health outcomes) to 100 (favorable health outcomes), yielding a score for each subscale. The French version was validated by Leplège (2001).
Measured: The MOS-SF 36 will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study : Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) (Bagby et al., 1994)
The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) (Bagby et al., 1994) is a 20-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess the level of alexithymia, that is, difficulty identifying and expressing emotions. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The TAS-20 assesses three dimensions: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking. A total score above 61 indicates a high level of alexithymia. The scale has been validated in French by Loas et al. (1996).
Measured: The TAS-20 will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study. Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS ; Gratz & Roemer, 2004)
The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz \& Roemer, 2004), in its French version (DERS-F) validated by Dan-Glauser et al. (2015), is a 36-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess difficulties in emotion regulation. Responses are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (almost never true) to 5 (almost always true). The scale assesses six dimensions: non-acceptance of emotional responses, difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior when distressed, impulse control difficulties, lack of emotional awareness, limited access to emotion regulation strategies, and lack of emotional clarity. Higher scores reflect greater difficulties in emotion regulation.
Measured: The DERS-F will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study. Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Rosenberg Self-Esteem (Rosenberg, 1965)
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess global self-esteem. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). It includes five positively worded and five negatively worded items, assessing positive or negative self-perceptions. A higher total score reflects more positive self-esteem. The French version, validated by Vallieres and Vallerand (1990), demonstrates excellent psychometric properties.
Measured: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study. Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Sep 2026
- Study start12 Dec 2025
- Primary completion12 Dec 2025
- Study completion9 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Addiction DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier de Cadillac
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07831135
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CRAV-ATTRIPH2
- Other IDs
- 2025-A02410-49
- Acronym
- CRAV-ATT
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Attachment and Substance Use Disorder: An Interventional Study in an Addictology Day Hospital
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07831135
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CRAV-ATT / CRAV-ATTRIPH2
- Conditions
- Addiction Disorders
- Keywords
- Addiction Disorders, Attachment, group intervention, day hospital
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier de CadillacUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 9 Sep 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Introduction: Substance use disorders represent a major public health issue due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Outpatient care, particularly short-term intensive programs integrating multidisciplinary support and craving management workshops, has demonstrated greater effectiveness than inpatient hospitalization in terms of abstinence, reduction in substance use, and improvement in quality of life (McCarty et al., 2014; Trebalag et al., 2018; Chirokoff et al., 2023). In parallel, the literature suggests a robust association between insecure or disorganized attachment styles and increased vulnerability to the development of addictive disorders (Branstetter et al., 2009; Danielsson et al., 2011; Zhai et al., 2014).
Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 7-week attachment-focused therapeutic program in reducing the severity of substance use disorder among adults with insecure or disorganized attachment styles receiving treatment in an addictology day hospital.
Method: Through a randomized controlled study, the present research compares two groups: an experimental group receiving a 7-week attachment-focused program (one individual session per week, followed by two hours of weekly group workshops) and a control group receiving the standard care protocol of the addictology day hospital (one 3-hour workshop per week for 7 weeks).
Expected outcomes: The findings of this study are expected to demonstrate the relevance of attachment-focused interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders. This research aims to improve addiction care by integrating relational and emotional dimensions into treatment. Finally, it may contribute to the evolution of clinical practices toward a more relationship-centered approach, with anticipated benefits in terms of treatment retention, relapse reduction, and overall healthcare system efficiency.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| attachment-based therapeutic intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: attachment-focused therapeutic programThe attachment-focused therapeutic program evaluated in this study was delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention comprised six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident and either an addiction nurse or an addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident. |
| psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care) | Active comparator | Behavioral: psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care)The psychoeducation-focused therapeutic program targeting addictive disorders was also delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention included six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of either two addiction nurses or one addiction nurse and one addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by an addiction nurse. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged 18 to 65 years
- Enrolled in a care program at the Addictology Day Hospital of Cadillac Hospital
- Exhibiting an insecure or disorganized attachment style
- Diagnosed with a substance use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- Provided informed consent and signed the consent form
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of severe cognitive impairments that prevent completion of questionnaires
- Presence of decompensated acute psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, manic episode)
- Currently receiving psychotherapeutic treatment
- Previous participation in attachment-focused interventions (e.g., Lifespan Integration, schema therapy)
- Being pregnant or breastfeeding
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| attachment-focused therapeutic programThe attachment-focused therapeutic program evaluated in this study was delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention comprised six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident and either an addiction nurse or an addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by a psychiatry/addiction medicine resident. | Behavioural | attachment-based therapeutic intervention |
| psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care)The psychoeducation-focused therapeutic program targeting addictive disorders was also delivered over a 7-week period. The intervention included six weekly group sessions (Weeks 1-6), facilitated by a co-therapy team consisting of either two addiction nurses or one addiction nurse and one addiction psychologist. In addition, participants received seven weekly individual sessions (Weeks 1-7), each conducted by an addiction nurse. | Behavioural | psychoeducation-based intervention (standard care) |
Primary outcome
Composite craving score obtained with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Experimental phase: 7 weeks (equivalent to 1 therapeutic cycle) Follow-up phase: 3 months
In response to the primary outcome criterion, a composite craving score will be assessed during the experimental and follow-up phases. This score is calculated by the investigator at the end of each follow-up visit and is derived from the participant's self-assessment, completed using a patient diary filled out at home. In this diary, participants record each craving episode and rate its intensity using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no craving) to 10 (intense craving). This VAS has been widely used in craving-related research (Badredine, 2021; Trojak \& Demina, 2025).
6 secondary outcomes
Experiences in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) (Fraley et al., 2011)
Time frame: The ECR-RS will be administered once, prior to the start of the intervention.
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (Bernstein et al., 1994)
Time frame: The CTQ will be completed a single time before the intervention begins.
Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (MOS-SF 36) (McHorney et al., 1993)
Time frame: The MOS-SF 36 will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study : Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) (Bagby et al., 1994)
Time frame: The TAS-20 will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study. Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS ; Gratz & Roemer, 2004)
Time frame: The DERS-F will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study. Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Rosenberg Self-Esteem (Rosenberg, 1965)
Time frame: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale will be completed on four occasions over the course of the study. Day 1 Week 1, Day 1 Week 2, Day 1 Week 3, follow up 3 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing attachment-focused therapeutic program in people with Addiction Disorders, run by Centre Hospitalier de Cadillac at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Composite craving score obtained with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (time frame: Experimental phase: 7 weeks (equivalent to 1 therapeutic cycle) Follow-up phase: 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Sep 2026.