Evaluating Alternative Aftercare Models for Ex-offenders

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Drug/Substance Abuse/Addiction; Alcohol Abuse/Addiction

Treatments: Behavioral: Usual aftercare; Behavioral: Oxford House; Behavioral: Safe Haven

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: NIH

Identifiers

NCT01586689

OHEO1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is examining the relative effects of alternative aftercare models for ex-offenders who are recovering from substance abuse/addiction. The study is a longitudinal, randomized field trial that assigns participants to one of three conditions: Oxford House, a professionally-run residential treatment facility, or a control condition that involves usual aftercare chosen by participants (which may include no treatment at all). Oxford Houses are self-run residential recovery homes based on the premise of mutual support. These homes do not involve professional treatment staff and the expenses (e.g. rent, utilities) are paid for by the residents. The hypothesis of this study is that Oxford House participants will have as good or better outcomes in terms of substance recovery, recidivism, and health in comparison to the participants who were assigned to the residential treatment facility, and better outcomes in comparison to the control group. In addition, the cost to government/tax payers will be substantially lower given that participants pay their own way.

Enrollment: 270 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• released from prison/jail in last 24 months
• recovering from alcohol or drug dependence

Exclusion criteria

• convicted of violent crime such as murder, aggravated assault
• currently using alcohol or drugs

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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270 participants in 3 patient groups

Safe Haven

Experimental group

Description:

participants assigned to the Safe haven condition and agree to move into the A Safe Haven residential treatment facility

Treatment:

Behavioral: Safe Haven

Usual aftercare

Experimental group

Description:

participants assigned to the control condition, and may or may not seek treatment on their own

Treatment:

Behavioral: Usual aftercare

Oxford House

Experimental group

Description:

participants who were assigned to the Oxford House condition and agree to move into an Oxford House

Treatment:

Behavioral: Oxford House