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Background and Objectives A Stage II, two-site randomized clinical trial compared the manualized, single-gender Women's Recovery Group (WRG) to mixed-gender group therapy (Group Drug Counseling; GDC) and demonstrated efficacy. Enhanced affiliation and support in the WRG is a hypothesized mechanism of efficacy. This study sought to extend results of the previous small Stage I trial that showed the rate of supportive affiliative statements occurred more frequently in WRG than GDC. Methods Participants (N = 158; 100 women, 58 men) were 18 years or older, substance dependent, and had used substances within the past 60 days. Women were randomized to WRG (n = 52) or GDC (n = 48). Group therapy videos were coded by two independent raters; Rater 1 coded 20% of videos (n = 74); Rater 2 coded 25% of videos coded by Rater 1 (n = 19). Results The number of affiliative statements made in WRG was 66% higher than in GDC. Three of eight affiliative statement categories occurred more frequently in WRG than GDC: supportive, shared experience, and strategy statements. Discussion and Conclusions This larger Stage II trial provided a greater number of group therapy tapes available for analysis. Results extended our previous findings, demonstrating both greater frequency of all affiliative statements, as well as specific categories of statements, made in single-gender WRG than mixed-gender GDC. Scientific Significance Greater frequency of affiliative statements among group members may be one mechanism of enhanced support and efficacy in women-only WRG compared with standard mixed-gender group therapy for substance use disorders. (Am J Addict 2016;25:573–580)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This prospective study uses path analytic models to examine baseline characteristics associated with both functioning and drinking outcomes 12 months after inpatient alcohol treatment. METHODS: Alcohol-dependent participants (N = 101) were recruited during inpatient alcohol treatment and assessed monthly 1 year after discharge. RESULTS: Alcohol severity was negatively associated with education and self-efficacy; marital status was positively associated with self-efficacy; and education and self-efficacy were negatively associated with drinking outcomes. Low alcohol severity, not having a depression diagnosis, and being married were associated with less social support impairment, which was in turn associated with better drinking outcomes. Having a history of sexual abuse did not influence drinking outcomes. However, having a history of sexual abuse was negatively associated with global functioning. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Drinking outcomes were associated with education, self-efficacy, social support, and diagnosis of depression at baseline; however, global functioning 1 year following treatment was primarily and negatively associated with sexual abuse history. Future treatment research should include measures of both functioning and drinking behavior outcomes. (Am J Addict 2014;23:226-233). Language: en

Background and Objectives Open-enrollment group therapy research is challenged by the participant recruitment necessary to ensure continuous group enrollment. We present successful strategies to overcome the following barriers during the Women's Recovery Group (WRG) two-site clinical trial (N = 158): maintenance of sample size and balanced gender randomization during continuous enrollment, maintenance of group attendance, and training and retention of therapists over the 24-month continuous group enrollment. Methods To increase recruitment, we targeted referral sources yielding the highest enrollment conversion at each site. Group sessions were consistently held regardless of group size. Therapists were trained in two teams allowing for coverage and uninterrupted treatment over 24 months. Results At both sites recruitment and enrollment increased with each successive quarter. Sample size and end date targets were met without disruptions in treatment. Group therapists reported high satisfaction with their training and treatment experiences. Discussion and Conclusions These strategies supported targeted enrollment and study duration, stability of open-enrollment group therapy frame, and therapist retention and satisfaction. Scientific Significance Applying these strategies can aid in providing evidence-based group therapy in both clinical and research settings. (Am J Addict 2013;XX:000–000)