Development and Effectiveness of an Alcohol Intervention Program for Adults Under Probation (PROB-AIP)

May 9, 2025 updated by: Mine Pazarcikci

Development and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Alcohol Intervention Program for Adults on Probation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an alcohol-specific intervention program for adult individuals on probation who have problems related to alcohol use. The study was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial and was conducted at the Izmir Probation Directorate with a total of 115 participants, 58 in the intervention group and 57 in the control group. When comparing the results between the intervention and control groups, the Alcohol Intervention Program-which consisted of six structured sessions-was found to be effective in reducing participants' alcohol consumption and related problems, while also increasing their motivation for change. This research is significant as it represents the first intervention program developed specifically for alcohol use within the probation system. While existing interventions in both Turkey and abroad often focus on individuals who use illicit substances, alcohol-related problems are frequently overlooked. The results of this study aim to meet that systemic need. The Alcohol Intervention Program developed here can be integrated into routine practices within the scope of educational improvement programs in the probation system.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Alcohol Intervention Program (AIP) for adults under probation who experience alcohol-related problems. The research was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial and was conducted at the Izmir Probation Directorate in Turkey between June and November 2023. A total of 115 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 58) and a control group (n = 57). The intervention group received a structured program consisting of six bi-weekly sessions based on motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies. No intervention program was administered to the control group. Standardized self-report tools, including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), and the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES), were administered as pre- and post-tests. Statistical analysis included paired-samples t-tests, independent-samples t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, and regression analysis. The results showed that participants in the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in alcohol use and related problems, as well as a significant increase in motivation to change, compared to the control group. The study demonstrates that the AIP is effective in supporting rehabilitation within the probation system and highlights the need for structured, alcohol-specific programs in this context. This research is significant in that it represents the first intervention program developed specifically for alcohol use within the probation system in Turkey. The findings suggest that the program can be integrated into existing probation practices and adapted to other contexts with similar needs. This study helps fill an important gap in the system and provides a foundation for future large-scale implementation research.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

115

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
      • İzmir, Turkey, 35380
        • İzmir Probation Directorate

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being over 18 years of age
  • Willingness to participate in the study (providing informed consent)
  • Being literate
  • Being under probation supervision and experiencing problems related to alcohol use, such as:
  • Problematic alcohol consumption
  • Endangering traffic safety due to alcohol use
  • Committing an offense under the influence of alcohol

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having a psychotic disorder
  • Use of any psychoactive or addictive substances other than alcohol
  • Currently receiving treatment for alcohol-related problems voluntarily and outside the scope of probation supervision

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Alcohol Intervention Program (AIP)
Participants received a structured Alcohol Intervention Program (AIP) consisting of six bi-weekly group sessions. The program was based on motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies and aimed to reduce alcohol use and related problems while increasing motivation to change.
Behavioral: Alcohol Intervention Program (AIP)
A brief behavioral intervention consisting of six bi-weekly group sessions based on motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies. The aim was to reduce alcohol use and related problems and increase motivation to change.
No Intervention: Probation Only (No Psychosocial Intervention)
Participants in this group did not receive any intervention program during the study period. They continued with standard probation supervision without any additional psychosocial intervention components.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Reduction in Alcohol Use (AUDIT Score)
Time Frame: From baseline to study completion (Week 12, immediately after completion of the 6-session program)
The primary outcome was the change in participants' alcohol consumption, measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The AUDIT consists of 10 items with a total score range of 0 to 40. Higher scores reflect more severe alcohol use. The effectiveness of the Alcohol Intervention Program (AIP) was evaluated by comparing AUDIT scores at baseline and at the end of the study (Week 12, immediately after the last session). A significant reduction in scores indicated decreased alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related problems.
From baseline to study completion (Week 12, immediately after completion of the 6-session program)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Reduction in Alcohol-Related Problems (MAST Score)
Time Frame: From baseline to study completion (Week 12, immediately after completion of the 6-session program)
This secondary outcome assessed changes in alcohol-related problems using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). The MAST consists of 25 items with a total score range of 0 to 53. Higher scores indicate alcohol-related problems and impairments in social functioning. Scores at baseline and at the end of the study (Week 12) were compared, and reductions indicated improvements in alcohol-related problems.
From baseline to study completion (Week 12, immediately after completion of the 6-session program)
Increase in Motivation to Change (SOCRATES Score)
Time Frame: From baseline to study completion (Week 12, immediately after completion of the 6-session program)
This outcome measured participants' motivation to change their alcohol use behaviors using the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES). The version used in this study included 19 items with a total score range of 19 to 95. Higher scores indicated greater readiness for change and stronger motivation to reduce alcohol use. Scores at baseline and at the end of the study (Week 12) were compared, and an increase in scores reflected a rise in participants' motivation to change.
From baseline to study completion (Week 12, immediately after completion of the 6-session program)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Mine Pazarcikci

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mine Pazarcıkcı, PhD, Ege university

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 1, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

May 11, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 3, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 3, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

May 11, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 14, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 9, 2025

Last Verified

May 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • RCT-AIP-2025
  • 22-10.1T/32 (Registry Identifier: Medical Research Ethics Committee of Ege University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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