Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier

Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier: A Group TSF Approach

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01382316

Acronym

MAAEZ

Enrollment

508

Registered

2011-06-27

Start date

2005-07-31

Completion date

2007-08-31

Last updated

2011-06-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alcohol Dependence, Drug Dependence

Keywords

12-step facilitation, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, AA, Self-help

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.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALMaking 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.

BEHAVIORALUsual care

Group format, six weekly education sessions about alcohol and drugs

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* current alcohol or drug dependence diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

* incapacitating mental or physical health; under age 18

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Alcohol and drug abstinence	Past 30 days	No alcohol and no drug consumed during the 30 days prior to 12-month follow-up interview

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026