Twelve Step Based Self-help Groups for Substance Related Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The Twelve Step groups are the most available and widespread self-help groups for patients with alcohol or drug related disorders. In a public health perspective, self-help groups (SHGs) may be considered as a supplement to professional treatment and provide aftercare soon as professional treatment has ended. There is a need to investigate if U.S. findings and procedures concerning referrals from the health services to Twelve Step Groups (TSGs) can be replicated and accommodated to a cultural setting which is unfamiliar with these groups. There is also a particular need in the Norwegian treatment system to develop alternative treatment strategies for patients undergoing detoxification to improve their chances of long-term recovery, due to deficient formal follow-up alternatives. We plan to carry out a RCT-study. One hundred and sixty patients entering a detoxification treatment center (Addiction Unit, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway) will be assigned to two different groups: One given standard information about TSGs (brief advice) and one given intensive referral (motivational sessions and contact with TSG volunteers). A follow up assessment is planned at 6 months to determine whether intensive referral results in more TSG attendance, and if this mediates less substance use and better functioning outcomes. This study introduces a new concept in the Norwegian health care system and relies on a systematic cooperation with user organizations (SHGs) and user volunteers. Thus the study focuses strongly on user resources.

Official Title
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Twelve Step Based Self-help Groups for Substance Related Disorders - A Randomized Controlled Trial on a Detoxification Center

Conditions
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Substance Use Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Brief motivation to participate in TSG


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with alcohol and substance use disorders treated on a detox ward Exclusion Criteria: Severe psychiatric comorbidity Patients on opioid replacement therapy Those who have appointment with other inpatient treatment at intake (and will be transferred to such treatment)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 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: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention group<br> | Behavioral: Brief motivation to participate in TSG<br>* The intensive intervention will consist of a boost motivational session on follow-up alternatives and particularly on attending TSGs. Efforts will be made to connect the patients with TSG volunteers via the AA/NA contact telephone. The patients are encouraged to invite AA/NA contact persons to visit them on the ward. The patient will then have the possibility to be followed to a meeting after treatment. The patients in the intensive referral group will get a phone call four weeks after discharge. The focus of this call will be on continued motivation to attend TSGs.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Will only get a standard information about TSG group (information about meeting etc.) | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-help groups attendance and involvement during 6 months observation period. |  | Six months after detox treatment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1)Substance use outcomes measured by Europ-ASI 2) Quality of Life |  | 6 months after detox treatment | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Substance use disorders, Self-help groups, Twelve Step groups