Strategies for Preventing Alcoholism

Overseen By ANDREW SUBICA, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Riverside

Must not be taking: Alcohol treatment medications

Disqualifiers: Non-Pacific Islander, Outside community, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 30 weeks

240 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot be currently in alcohol treatment, which includes medication or therapy for alcohol use.

What data supports the effectiveness of the SPEAR treatment for preventing alcoholism?

Research suggests that culturally tailored approaches to substance abuse treatment, like SPEAR, can be effective. A study on Pacific Islander young adults identified protective factors such as family reputation, religious faith, and culturally relevant activities, which SPEAR could incorporate to help prevent alcoholism. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What makes the SPEAR treatment unique for preventing alcoholism?

The SPEAR treatment is unique because it is culturally tailored for Pacific Islander young adults, focusing on integrating cultural protective factors like family reputation, religious faith, and community activities, which are not typically addressed in standard alcohol prevention programs. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study will: (1) refine and finalize the SPEAR intervention manual for preventing alcohol use disorders (AUD) and associated harms for Pacific Islander young adults; and (2) test SPEAR for efficacy by conducting a pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Research Team

ANDREW SUBICA

Principal Investigator

UC Riverside

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Pacific Islander young adults who are at risk of developing alcohol use disorders or experiencing alcohol-related harms. Specific eligibility criteria have not been provided, but typically participants would need to meet certain age and health requirements.

Inclusion Criteria

Of full or part self-reported Pacific Islander heritage

Fluent in English (oral and reading)

Current drinking (1+ drink in past 30 days)

Exclusion Criteria

Do not meet inclusion criteria

Fail to provide or retracts consent

Reside outside the target Pacific Islander communities

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the SPEAR intervention to reduce alcohol use disorders and related harms

30 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• SPEAR (Strategies for Pacific Empowerment and Alcohol Reduction)

Trial Overview The study is testing the SPEAR program, aimed at preventing alcohol misuse among Pacific Islander young adults. It involves refining a manual and then evaluating its effectiveness through a pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial.

Participant Groups

Group I: SPEAR Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will consist of the SPEAR (Strategies for Pacific Empowerment and Alcohol Reduction) behavioral group intervention to reduce AUDs and alcohol-related harms in Pacific Islander young adults.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

This control group arm will be compared to the SPEAR intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Riverside

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

14,400+

Findings from Research

A new culturally tailored substance abuse treatment program on Molokai, Hawaii, targets root causes of substance abuse such as low self-esteem and lack of identity, using activities like cultural events and counseling.

The evaluation plan developed aims to measure changes in behaviors and attitudes, laying the groundwork for assessing the program's effectiveness in addressing substance abuse in the community.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A practical framework for evaluating a culturally tailored adolescent substance abuse treatment programme in Molokai, Hawaii. Withy, KM., Lee, W., Renger, RF.[2021]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol Use Disorder Risk and Protective Factors and Associated Harms Among Pacific Islander Young Adults. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A practical framework for evaluating a culturally tailored adolescent substance abuse treatment programme in Molokai, Hawaii. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness and appropriateness of culturally adapted approaches to treating alcohol use disorders in Indigenous people: a mixed methods systematic review protocol. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Translating the semi-structured assessment for drug dependence and alcoholism in the Western Pacific: rationale, study design and reliability of alcohol dependence. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Childhood sexual abuse and adult binge drinking among Kanak women in New Caledonia. [2013]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A qualitative investigation into key cultural factors that support abstinence or responsible drinking amongst some Pacific youth living in New Zealand. [2021]

7. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Approaches to preventing alcohol-related problems: the experience of New Zealand and Australia. [2005]

8. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

New Zealand Pacific peoples' drinking style: too much or nothing at all? [2022]

9. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol in the South Pacific: the mid-1990s. [2005]