Smartphone-Assisted Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorder
(SARC-YA Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen byMichael L Dennis, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Chestnut Health Systems

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

At discharge from outpatient treatment, researchers will recruit 300 young adults and randomly assign them to recovery support as usual control condition or the Smartphone Addiction Recovery Coach for Young Adults (SARC-YA) experimental condition. Participants in the experimental conditions will receive a smartphone, a calling/texting/data plan, and the SARC-YA mobile applications for the first 6 months post treatment discharge. Experimental participants will 1) complete a 2-3 minute recovery-focused ecological momentary assessment (EMA) at 5 random times a day, receive feedback on their current answers, and provided access to behavioral charting of their past answers over time; and 2) receive continuous access to a suite of self-initiated ecological momentary interventions (EMI) to support their recovery via tool box of coping tools, apps related to getting support, and apps related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Data include standardized assessments, urine tests, mobile phone metadata, EMA responses, and EMI utilization. The study's primary aim and hypothesis are: Aim 1: Test the effects of experimental assignment on the frequency of substance use. H1 Relative to the control group, participants in the experimental group will have lower scores on the quarterly Substance Frequency Scale (3, 6, 9 months post- discharge).

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults aged 18-26 who are being discharged from outpatient substance use disorder treatment and have used substances within the last 90 days. They must be able to read and communicate in English and plan to stay in Chicago for the next 9 months.

Inclusion Criteria

Substance use during the 90 days prior to treatment

Discharge from an adolescent outpatient SUD treatment program to the community

I am between 18 and 26 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot read or communicate in English.

Does NOT reside or plan to stay in Chicago during the next 9 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

Smartphone Addiction Recovery Coach for Young Adults (SARC-YA) (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study compares usual recovery support with a new method using smartphones (SARC-YA) after treatment discharge. Participants will get a smartphone, data plan, apps for daily assessments, feedback, behavioral tracking, and self-help tools to prevent relapse.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Smartphone Addiction Recovery Coach (SARC) - Assisted Relapse PreventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in the experimental condition will receive a smartphone, a calling/texting/data plan, and the SARC-YA mobile applications for the first 6 months post treatment discharge. Experimental participants will 1) complete a 2-3 minute recovery-focused ecological momentary assessment (EMA) at 5 random times a day, receive feedback on their current answers, and provided access to behavioral charting of their past answers over time; and 2) receive continuous access to a suite of self-initiated ecological momentary interventions (EMI) to support their recovery via tool box of coping tools, apps related to getting support, and apps related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Group II: Recovery Support as Usual ControlActive Control2 Interventions

Participants in the control and experimental condition will have access to post treatment recovery support services as usual.