MAAEZ: Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier
Study Details
Study Description
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.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Phase 3 |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier 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)
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.
Other Names:
|
| Active Comparator: Usual care Usual group sessions on education about alcohol and drug problems |
Behavioral: Usual care
Group format, six weekly education sessions about alcohol and drugs
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Alcohol and drug abstinence [Past 30 days]
No alcohol and no drug consumed during the 30 days prior to 12-month follow-up interview
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- current alcohol or drug dependence diagnosis
Exclusion Criteria:
- incapacitating mental or physical health; under age 18
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alcohol Research Group | Emeryville | California | United States | 94608 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Alcohol Research Group
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Lee A Kaskutas, Dr.P.H., Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- 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. Erratum in: J Subst Abuse Treat. 2013 Oct;45(4):388.
- 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.
- 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.
- R01AA014688
- NCT01244919