Stimulant Abuser Groups to Engage in 12-Step

Stimulant Abuser Groups to Engage in 12-Step (STAGE-12): Evaluation of a Combined Individual-Group Intervention to Reduce Stimulant and Other Drug Use by Increasing 12-Step Involvement

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a combined group and individual 12-Step facilitative (TSF) intervention, Stimulant Abuser Groups to Engage in 12 -Step (STAGE-12), improves substance -related outcomes.

This protocol is to evaluate the degree to which a combined group and individual 12-Step facilitative (TSF) intervention, Stimulant Abuser Groups to Engage in 12 -Step (STAGE-12), improves substance -related outcomes compared to treatment as usual (TAU) without STAGE-12 among stimulant abusers. The primary objective is to evaluate reduction in percent of days of stimulant use as measured by self-report. Secondary objectives include evaluating reduction in percent days of use of other substances, the degree to which STAGE-12 increases involvement in 12-step activities and attendance at 12-step meetings, and the extent to which such 12 -step involvement and meeting attendance mediate substance use outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• seeking outpatient treatment for stimulant abuse or dependence
• current diagnosis of stimulant abuse or dependence
• willing to participate in the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• not sufficiently medically or psychiatrically stable
• pending legal action that would inhibit their participation in the study
• in need of detoxification from opiates