Twelve Step Based Self-help Groups for Substance Related Disorders

Overview

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.

Full Title of Study: “Twelve Step Based Self-help Groups for Substance Related Disorders – A Randomized Controlled Trial on a Detoxification Center”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: None (Open Label)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: February 2011

Interventions

  • 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.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Intervention group
  • No Intervention: Control group
    • Will only get a standard information about TSG group (information about meeting etc.)

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Self-help groups attendance and involvement during 6 months observation period.
    • Time Frame: Six months after detox treatment

Secondary Measures

  • 1)Substance use outcomes measured by Europ-ASI 2) Quality of Life
    • Time Frame: 6 months after detox treatment

Participating in This Clinical Trial

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)

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 70 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Sorlandet Hospital HF
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor

Citations Reporting on Results

Vederhus JK, Timko C, Kristensen O, Clausen T. The courage to change: patient perceptions of 12-Step fellowships. BMC Health Serv Res. 2011 Dec 15;11:339. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-11-339.

Vederhus JK, Timko C, Kristensen O, Hjemdahl B, Clausen T. Motivational intervention to enhance post-detoxification 12-Step group affiliation: a randomized controlled trial. Addiction. 2014 May;109(5):766-73. doi: 10.1111/add.12471. Epub 2014 Feb 16.

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