Culturally tailored evidence-based substance use disorder treatments are efficacious with an American Indian Southwest tribe: an open-label pilot-feasibility randomized controlled trial

Authors

Kamilla L. Venner, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addiction, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Kelsey Serier, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Ruth Sarafin, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Brenna L. Greenfield, University of Minnesota, Duluth Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
Katherine Hirchak, University of Minnesota, Duluth Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
Jane Ellen Smith, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Katie Witkiewitz, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addiction, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-15-2020

Abstract

Background and Aims

Many evidence‐based treatments (EBTs) for substance use disorder (SUD) exist, yet few are tailored to Indigenous patients. This trial tested the efficacy of a culturally tailored EBT that combined Motivational Interviewing and the Community Reinforcement Approach (MICRA) versus treatment as usual (TAU).

Design

A mixed efficacy/effectiveness randomized controlled trial of MICRA (n = 38) and TAU (n = 41) using a parallel design with follow‐up assessments at 4‐, 8‐, and 12‐ months post baseline.

Setting

United States, reservation‐based outpatient, addiction specialty care treatment program.

Participants

79 (68% male) American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal members meeting criteria for SUD and seeking SUD treatment.

Interventions

MICRA (individual therapy sessions beginning with MI for 2–3 sessions) compared with TAU (individual and group counseling sessions in a didactic style with Twelve‐Step philosophy and elements of relapse prevention).

Measures

Demographics, percent days abstinent (PDA; the primary outcome at 12months assessed by Form 90D), Inventory of Drug Use Consequences, Alcohol and Drug Use Self‐Efficacy Scale, Native American Spirituality Scale, and SCID‐DSM‐IV‐TR.

Findings

There was no evidence for the benefit of MICRA over TAU (MICRA PDA = 72.63%, TAU = 73.62%, treatment effect: B = −4.04 (SE = 5.47); 95% CI = −14.941, 6.866; BF = 3.44) in the primary outcome. Both groups showed improvements in PDA, SUD severity, and negative consequences from baseline to the 12‐month follow‐up. Neither self‐efficacy nor spirituality were significant mediators of MICRA.

Conclusions

There were no treatment group differences between culturally tailored evidence‐based treatments for substance use disorder and treatment as usual in this randomized controlled trial with American Indian and Alaska Native participants. Nonetheless, participants improved over time on several substance‐related outcomes.

Recommended Citation

Katherine A. Hirchak, Alexandra Hernandez-Vallant, Jalene Herron, Violette Cloud, J. Scott Tonigan, Barbara McCrady, Kamilla Venner, Aligning three substance use disorder interventions among a tribe in the Southwest United States: Pilot feasibility for cultural re-centering, dissemination, and implementation, Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 10.1080/15332640.2020.1836701, (1-17), (2020).