Feasibility of the 5-Step Method in the U.S.

Summary

The purpose of this study is to see if it is possible (feasible) to introduce a behavioral intervention for family members affected by a relative's misuse of drugs and/or alcohol in the United States. The intervention is called the 5-Step Method. It will be a randomized control trial, with a total of 36 participants, and 18 in each group. The study lasts for approximately 12 weeks for the participant. The intervention group will receive a self-help handbook of the 5-Step Method, and the control group will not. Although the control group will not receive an intervention from the research team, they are allowed to look for and use any currently available program for affected family members (for example, Al-Anon, or Nar-Anon) during the study period. The study is being done because the 5-Step Method has not been used or evaluated in the U.S. (or the creators are unaware that it is in use here). There are two aims (objectives): (1) to see if it is feasible to introduce the 5-Step Method into the U.S.; (2) to look at trends in the baseline and followup survey scores to see if there is evidence of preliminary participant response.

Conditions

• Family Members
• Relatives
• Substance-Related Disorders
• Alcohol-Related Disorders
• Coping Skills
• Stress, Psychological
• Stress Physiology

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

5-Step Method Intervention

The 5-Step Method (5SM) intervention is delivered through a self-help handbook: There are writing prompts for the affected family member (AFM) in each step. The steps end with a summary, a space to reflect and a statement that the step is complete but can be reviewed as needed. The steps are: 1.Explore how the relative's drug and/or alcohol misuse is affecting the family member, causing stress and strain. 2.Determine the information the AFM needs to understand the situation using evidence-based websites in the handbook. 3.Reflect on coping styles, and which ones might be useful. 4.Determine who is a source of positive social support, and who could be one that the AFM has not used yet. 5.Review steps 1-4 and determine if the AFM is feeling less stress and strain, or if more help is needed and use websites to look for additional help. The activities should take about 1 hour per week.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Villanova University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Therese M Collins, MS, RN · Villanova University

• Helene Moriarty, PhD, RN, FAAN · Villanova University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-01

Primary Completion

2025-08-01

Completion

2025-12-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations