Table 3.

Components of transdiagnostic and alcohol-focused interventions evaluated.

Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA)
Psychoeducation/introduction	Program information, normalize symptoms and problems	Psychoeducation; reduce stigma
Substance use reduction	CBT and MI merged to set goals and reduce substance use; identification and strategies for ‘drivers’ of substance use	Reduce substance use, increase social support
Behavioral activation	Identify and engage in pleasurable activities	Reduce depression symptoms; activate action to engage in helpful programs (i.e., HIV care)
Cognitive coping/restructuring	Identify and correct thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; replace unhealthy thoughts with helpful ones in order to feel better and behave in a more healthy, productive way	Reduce depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms; reduce self-blame and stigma; reduce negative thoughts on HIV care; reduce aggressive/violent behavior, reduce risk taking, improve retention and adherence
Relaxation	Breathing exercises, imagery, etc.	Reduce anxiety and stress-related symptoms
Exposure	Talk about trauma memories or confront fears using gradual desensitization	Reduce trauma and anxiety symptoms
Problem solving	Teach a process of steps to solve problems and make healthy decisions	Promote health decision making; skills training for problem solving; improve relationships and communication
Alcohol Brief Intervention, based on substance use reduction component of CETA
Assess/screen for alcohol use	Two-week alcohol timeline follow-back measure	Establish baseline frequency and quantity of alcohol use
Understand the impacts of alcohol use	Review core ways alcohol use can negatively impact an individual, family, and the community	Increase client motivation to reduce use by highlighting negative effects; help client understand that positive effects of alcohol use are short-term, the negatives are long-term
Explore possibilities for change	Explore potential ways the client would consider changing or reducing their alcohol use	Brainstorm measurable changes the client could make to reduce use
Set goals	Set a goal for one way the client could reduce their alcohol use in the next few weeks	Set a measurable target for the client to work toward
Identify reasons for alcohol use	Understand client motivations for alcohol use	Use the client’s motivations for alcohol use to determine the best strategies for reducing it
Build skills	Teach one coping skill to help the client combat one main reason for alcohol use	Build skills that address reasons for alcohol use