Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Alcohol Dependence Alcohol-Related Disorders Alcoholism Chemically-Induced Disorders Drug Dependence Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Alcohol Research Group

Emeryville, California, 94608, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

current alcohol or drug dependence diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

incapacitating mental or physical health; under age 18

Treatment and study plan

Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ)

Behavioral

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: MAAEZ

Usual Care

Behavioral

Group format, six weekly education sessions about alcohol and drugs

Primary outcomes

Alcohol and drug abstinence

Time frame: Past 30 days

No alcohol and no drug consumed during the 30 days prior to 12-month follow-up interview

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Alcohol Research Group

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier: A Group TSF Approach

Acronym: MAAEZ

Important dates

Study start: 2005
Primary completion: 2006
Study completion: 2007
First posted: Jun 27, 2011
Registry last updated: Jun 27, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed