Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Alcohol Dependence; Drug Dependence
• Interventions: Behavioral: Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ); Behavioral: Usual care

• Registration Number: NCT01382316
• Lead Sponsor: Alcohol Research Group

Brief Summary

This study tests the effectiveness of Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ), a manual-guided intervention designed to help alcohol and drug dependent clients connect with individuals encountered in AA. An OFF/ON design was used (n=508). MAAEZ effectiveness was determined by comparing abstinence rates of participants recruited during ON (MAAEZ intervention) and OFF (usual care) conditions and by studying the effect of the number of MAAEZ sessions attended. Better outcomes were hypothesized for MAAEZ vs. usual care. At 12 months, more clients in the ON condition (vs. OFF) reported past 30-day abstinence from alcohol, drugs, and both alcohol and drugs. Abstinence increased for each additional MAAEZ session received. MAAEZ appeared especially effective for those with more prior AA exposure, severe psychiatric problems, and atheists/agnostics. Mechanisms of action for MAAEZ (mediators of the MAAEZ effect) include: doing service in AA/NA/CA; having a sponsor; having a social network supportive of abstinence; and comfort being in meetings. MAAEZ represents an evidence-based intervention that is easily implemented in existing treatment programs.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-07
• Primary Completion: 2006-05
• Study Completion: 2007-08
• Status Verified: 2011-06
• Study First Submitted: 2011-06-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-06-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-06-24
• Study First Posted: 2011-06-27
• Last Update Posted: 2011-06-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 508

Inclusion Criteria

• current alcohol or drug dependence diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

• incapacitating mental or physical health; under age 18

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier	Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ)	Six session, group format intervention, consisting of introductory session, four core sessions (sponsorship, principles not personalities, spirituality, living sober), and return to introductory session as MAAEZ graduate
Usual care	Usual care	Usual group sessions on education about alcohol and drug problems

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Alcohol and drug abstinence	Past 30 days	No alcohol and no drug consumed during the 30 days prior to 12-month follow-up interview

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Alcohol Research Group; 🇺🇸 Emeryville, California, United States