TSF_Norway: Twelve Step Based Self-help Groups for Substance Related Disorders

Sponsor

Sorlandet Hospital HF (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT00708890

Collaborator

(none)

140

Enrollment

Location

Arms

Duration (Months)

4.8

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

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.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Substance Use Disorders	Behavioral: Brief motivation to participate in TSG	N/A

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Actual Enrollment :

140 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Parallel Assignment

Masking:

None (Open Label)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

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

Study Start Date :

Sep 1, 2008

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Feb 1, 2011

Actual Study Completion Date :

Feb 1, 2011

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Intervention group	Behavioral: Brief motivation to participate in TSG 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.
No Intervention: Control group Will only get a standard information about TSG group (information about meeting etc.)

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Experimental: Intervention group

Behavioral: Brief motivation to participate in TSG

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.

No Intervention: Control group

Will only get a standard information about TSG group (information about meeting etc.)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Self-help groups attendance and involvement during 6 months observation period. [Six months after detox treatment]

Secondary Outcome Measures

1)Substance use outcomes measured by Europ-ASI 2) Quality of Life [6 months after detox treatment]

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

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)