The therapeutic effect of Brief Adaptive Coping Training on relapse to alcohol provoked by negative emotional experience

The University of Exeter is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence in September 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter, funded by Alcohol Research UK and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences. For eligible students the studentship will cover UK/EU tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £14,553 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student will be based in Psychology in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.


Relapse to alcohol use in vulnerable groups such as prisoners, homeless individuals and heavy community drinkers is regularly provoked by negative emotional states such as depression, anxiety, anger and frustration. Vulnerable individuals often believe that alcohol helps cope with negative emotions and this belief drives relapse when negative emotions are experienced. Recently, new forms of cognitive behaviour therapy have been developed to specifically target the belief that alcohol helps cope with negative emotions. These interventions have been found to significantly improve alcohol abstinence above standard CBT in vulnerable groups. The purpose of the PhD is to develop a Brief Adaptive Coping Training (BACT) procedure which can restructure clients’ belief that alcohol helps cope with negative emotions. The BACT task will isolate and computerise key methods embedded within new CBT procedures developed and validated by Prof. Matt Kushner at Minnesota University, who will co-supervise the project. The therapeutic effectiveness of BACT will be tested in three alcohol dependent vulnerable groups: Prisoners, homeless individuals and treatment-seeking community clients. If BACT reduces relapse to alcohol-seeking provoked by negative emotional states, it will be validated as a stand-alone brief intervention, or as homework or top-up for the full CBT program. The project fits the core objective of Alcohol Research UK – to improve the effectiveness of alcohol treatment for vulnerable groups within an austere financial environment.

This award provides annual funding to cover UK/EU tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay UK/EU tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full plus at least £14,553 per year tax-free stipend. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.

Studentships will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3 years of full-time study to commence in September 2017.