Evaluating Alternative Aftercare Models for Ex-offenders

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This study is examining the relative effects of alternative aftercare models for ex-offenders who are recovering from substance abuse/addiction. The study is a longitudinal, randomized field trial that assigns participants to one of three conditions: Oxford House, a professionally-run residential treatment facility, or a control condition that involves usual aftercare chosen by participants (which may include no treatment at all). Oxford Houses are self-run residential recovery homes based on the premise of mutual support. These homes do not involve professional treatment staff and the expenses (e.g. rent, utilities) are paid for by the residents. The hypothesis of this study is that Oxford House participants will have as good or better outcomes in terms of substance recovery, recidivism, and health in comparison to the participants who were assigned to the residential treatment facility, and better outcomes in comparison to the control group. In addition, the cost to government/tax payers will be substantially lower given that participants pay their own way.

Official Title
-----------------
Evaluating Alternative Aftercare Models for Ex-offenders

Conditions
-----------------
Drug/Substance Abuse/Addiction, Alcohol Abuse/Addiction

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Oxford House
* Behavioral: Safe Haven
* Behavioral: Usual aftercare


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: released from prison/jail in last 24 months recovering from alcohol or drug dependence Exclusion Criteria: convicted of violent crime such as murder, aggravated assault currently using alcohol or drugs

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Safe Haven<br>participants assigned to the Safe haven condition and agree to move into the A Safe Haven residential treatment facility | Behavioral: Safe Haven<br>* professionally-staffed treatment facility<br>|
| Experimental: Usual aftercare<br>participants assigned to the control condition, and may or may not seek treatment on their own | Behavioral: Usual aftercare<br>* control group - participants may or may not seek treatment on their own<br>|
| Experimental: Oxford House<br>participants who were assigned to the Oxford House condition and agree to move into an Oxford House | Behavioral: Oxford House<br>* community-based recovery home for participants recovering from substance dependency<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Relapse/recovery - drug test and self report of alcohol use | An assessment of each participant's drug/alcohol use as determined by a urine test and report of alcohol use | last data collection point (wave 5, 2 years after recruitment) | 
| recidivism | whether or not the participant has been re-incarcerated, as indicated by Illinois Department of Corrections data base | last data collection point (wave 5, 2 years after recruitment) | 
| health | participant health, such as hospitalization and other indicators as measured by the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) - Light. also measures substance use, employment, legal system involvement, family and social life, psychiatric status. | last data collection point (wave 5, 2 years after recruitment) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ) | confidence to avoid using drugs and alcohol in various situations; | every 6 months for 2 years | 
| Risk Behavior Survey | recent substance use and sexual behaviors | every 6 months for 2 years | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Oxford House, recovery, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, addiction