Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier: A Group TSF Approach

Conditions
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Alcohol Dependence, Drug Dependence

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ)
* Behavioral: Usual care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: current alcohol or drug dependence diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: incapacitating mental or physical health; under age 18

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier<br>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)<br>* 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.<br>* Other names: MAAEZ;|
| Active Comparator: Usual care<br>Usual group sessions on education about alcohol and drug problems | Behavioral: Usual care<br>* Group format, six weekly education sessions about alcohol and drugs<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alcohol and drug abstinence | No alcohol and no drug consumed during the 30 days prior to 12-month follow-up interview | Past 30 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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AA, 12-step facilitation, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Self-help