NCT01382316

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.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
508

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_3

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2005

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2005

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2006

Completed
1.3 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2007

Completed
3.9 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 24, 2011

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 27, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

June 27, 2011

Status Verified

June 1, 2011

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

June 24, 2011

Last Update Submit

June 24, 2011

Conditions

Alcohol DependenceDrug Dependence

Keywords

12-step facilitationAlcoholics AnonymousNarcotics AnonymousAASelf-help

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Alcohol and drug abstinence

    No alcohol and no drug consumed during the 30 days prior to 12-month follow-up interview

    Past 30 days

Study Arms (2)

Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ)

Usual care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Usual group sessions on education about alcohol and drug problems

Behavioral: Usual care

Interventions

Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ)BEHAVIORAL

6-week, 90-minute, manualized, 12-step facilitation intervention consisting of 6 weekly session. First session is introduction. Four following core sessions attended in any order: sponsorship, principles not personalities, spirituality, living Sober. Last session, return to intro session as graduate.

Also known as: MAAEZ
Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier
Usual careBEHAVIORAL

Group format, six weekly education sessions about alcohol and drugs

Usual care

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • current alcohol or drug dependence diagnosis

You may not qualify if:

  • incapacitating mental or physical health; under age 18

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Alcohol Research Group

Emeryville, California, 94608, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • Kaskutas LA, Subbaraman MS, Witbrodt J, Zemore SE. Effectiveness of Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier: a group format 12-step facilitation approach. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2009 Oct;37(3):228-39. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2009.01.004. Epub 2009 Apr 1.

    PMID: 19339148BACKGROUND

  • Subbaraman MS, Kaskutas LA, Zemore S. Sponsorship and service as mediators of the effects of Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ), a 12-step facilitation intervention. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2011 Jul 1;116(1-3):117-24. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.008. Epub 2011 Feb 2.

    PMID: 21288660BACKGROUND

  • Zemore SE, Kaskutas LA. Development and validation of the Alcoholics Anonymous Intention Measure (AAIM). Drug Alcohol Depend. 2009 Oct 1;104(3):204-11. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.04.019. Epub 2009 Jul 5.

    PMID: 19581057BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

AlcoholismSubstance-Related Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol-Related DisordersChemically-Induced DisordersMental Disorders

Study Officials

  • Lee A Kaskutas, Dr.P.H.

    Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 24, 2011

First Posted

June 27, 2011

Study Start

July 1, 2005

Primary Completion

May 1, 2006

Study Completion

August 1, 2007

Last Updated

June 27, 2011

Record last verified: 2011-06

Locations

US(1)