Title: A RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of Stress Reduction Programme on stress, severity of dependence and risk for relapse among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome, attending outpatient department of CMC, Vellore.

 Objective / Aims:

1. To assess stress, severity of alcohol dependence and risk for relapse among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Stress Reduction program among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

3. To find the relationship between stress, severity of alcohol dependence and risk for relapse among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

4. To determine the association between stress and selected socio-demographic and clinical variables of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

Hypothesis: There will be a significant difference in the patient outcome between the pre-intervention and post-intervention groups.

Expected results/outcome:

The findings would serve as an empirical basis to plan for an ongoing educational program related to Alcohol Dependence Syndrome, treatment, stress reduction, relapse prevention and management of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. Findings on demographic characteristics and clinical variables would help in identifying the factors that affect the severity of dependence, risk factors for relapse in Alcoholic patients. Relationship between the level of stress, severity of dependence, risk factors for relapse and the effectiveness of stress reduction program would help nurses to improve better understanding about relapse/ readmission therefore help in increasing stress reduction interventions to the patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

The results of the study would thus enable psychiatric nurses and the health team members to give psycho education through a stress reduction program. Stress management is more effective for patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome and should be based on the social and cultural background of the patients. With the growing emphasis on outpatient short-term treatment, psychiatric nurses are in a key position to lead psycho education groups and interventions which will meet the needs of patients and their families. Psychiatric nurses will be able to motivate the patients to quit alcohol intake and stay sober. This will also help the patient to understand their stress level, how to cope with stress, and prevent relapses, which eventually will increase the quality of life in patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

Innovations / Applications:  This study can provide insights for researchers, clinicians and nurses; it can guide them in tailoring treatment plans by emphasising the most effective stress reduction techniques, thereby improving the overall well-being of alcohol dependent patients. This study can inform further research and development of more effective stress reduction interventions, potentially leading to better treatment approaches for Alcohol dependence in clinical settings. The future plan is to start a de-addiction nursing program at the Mental Health Centre, CMC, Vellore.