Jennifer E Johnson1, Yael Chatav Schonbrun2, Bradley Anderson3, Christine Timko4, Michael D Stein5. 1. Division of Public Health, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 200 East 1stSt, Room 366, Flint, MI, 48503, United States. Electronic address: JJohns@msu.edu. 2. Butler Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 345 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI, 02906, United States. 3. Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI, 02906, United States. 4. Department of Veterans Affairs, Stanford University School of Medicine, 795 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States. 5. Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder predicts poor health outcomes among women returning to the community from jail. Twelve-step self-help groups are free and accessible to women leaving jail, but reaching out to strangers can pose a barrier. Pilot work suggested that a volunteer-led "warm handoff" may increase post-release twelve-step self-help group attendance. METHODS: This randomized trial evaluated the effectiveness of a warm handoff intervention on post-release twelve-step attendance and alcohol use. Participants (189 women with alcohol use disorder) were recruited in jail and followed for 6 months after release. Participants were randomized to: (1) a warm handoff, in which a female twelve-step volunteer met with each woman individually in jail and the same volunteer attended the woman's first twelve-step meeting with her after release; or (2) enhanced standard care (a list of meetings and community resources). Outcomes included days abstinent from alcohol, drinks per drinking day, alcohol-related problems, twelve-step attendance, twelve-step affiliation, network support for abstinence, number of unprotected sexual occasions, and drug using days. RESULTS: Among intervention participants, only 66 % were aware that the volunteer tried to contact them after jail, only 38 % reported post-jail contact with their volunteers (typically phone), and only four went to meetings with their volunteers post-release. Of 8 post-release outcomes, intervention effects differed on only one (alcohol-related problems). CONCLUSION: Although twelve-step self-help group attendance predicted alcohol abstinence, the volunteer-led warm handoff intervention did not increase twelve-step attendance. The twelve-step tradition of Attraction may inhibit the active outreach required to connect women to services after jail release.
BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder predicts poor health outcomes among women returning to the community from jail. Twelve-step self-help groups are free and accessible to women leaving jail, but reaching out to strangers can pose a barrier. Pilot work suggested that a volunteer-led "warm handoff" may increase post-release twelve-step self-help group attendance. METHODS: This randomized trial evaluated the effectiveness of a warm handoff intervention on post-release twelve-step attendance and alcohol use. Participants (189 women with alcohol use disorder) were recruited in jail and followed for 6 months after release. Participants were randomized to: (1) a warm handoff, in which a female twelve-step volunteer met with each woman individually in jail and the same volunteer attended the woman's first twelve-step meeting with her after release; or (2) enhanced standard care (a list of meetings and community resources). Outcomes included days abstinent from alcohol, drinks per drinking day, alcohol-related problems, twelve-step attendance, twelve-step affiliation, network support for abstinence, number of unprotected sexual occasions, and drug using days. RESULTS: Among intervention participants, only 66 % were aware that the volunteer tried to contact them after jail, only 38 % reported post-jail contact with their volunteers (typically phone), and only four went to meetings with their volunteers post-release. Of 8 post-release outcomes, intervention effects differed on only one (alcohol-related problems). CONCLUSION: Although twelve-step self-help group attendance predicted alcohol abstinence, the volunteer-led warm handoff intervention did not increase twelve-step attendance. The twelve-step tradition of Attraction may inhibit the active outreach required to connect women to services after jail release.
Authors: Jennifer E Johnson; Marlanea E Peabody; Wendee M Wechsberg; Rochelle K Rosen; Karen Fernandes; Caron Zlotnick Journal: J Interpers Violence Date: 2014-11-12
Authors: L M Najavits; D R Gastfriend; J P Barber; S Reif; L R Muenz; J Blaine; A Frank; P Crits-Christoph; M Thase; R D Weiss Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1998-02 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Jennifer E Johnson; Yael Chatav Schonbrun; Jessica E Nargiso; Caroline C Kuo; Ruth T Shefner; Collette A Williams; Caron Zlotnick Journal: Int J Prison Health Date: 2013
Authors: J R Davidson; S W Book; J T Colket; L A Tupler; S Roth; D David; M Hertzberg; T Mellman; J C Beckham; R D Smith; R M Davison; R Katz; M E Feldman Journal: Psychol Med Date: 1997-01 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: William H Zywiak; Charles J Neighbors; Rosemarie A Martin; Jennifer E Johnson; Cheryl A Eaton; Damaris J Rohsenow Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2008-10-05