Youth recovery outcomes at 6 and 9 months following participation in a mobile texting recovery support aftercare pilot study. (21st December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonzales, Rachel; Hernandez, Mayra; Murphy, Debra A.; Ang, Alfonso
• Is Part Of: American journal on addictions. Volume 25:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2015-12-21
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.86005
• DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12322
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-0496

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Objectives: We examined youth recovery outcomes at 6‐ and 9‐months post‐participation in an aftercare pilot study called Educating and Supporting inQuisitive Youth in Recovery (ESQYIR) that aimed to investigate the utility of a 12‐week mobile texting recovery support intervention. Methods: A total of 80 youth [Mage 20.4 (SD = 3.5)] were randomized to a mobile texting aftercare intervention or an aftercare‐as‐usual control group. Both groups received identical data collection protocols with psychosocial and behavioral assessments occurring at baseline, during the trial (months 1 and 2), at discharge from the trial (month 3), and 3‐, 6‐, and 9‐month post‐intervention follow‐ups. Results: Mixed modeling showed that youth who participated in the mobile texting aftercare intervention were less likely to test positive for their primary drug compared to youth in the aftercare‐as‐usual condition during 6‐ and 9‐months follow‐ups ( p < .01). Additionally, youth in the aftercare intervention reported significantly higher self‐efficacy/confidence to abstain during recovery ( p < .05) and were more likely to participate in recovery‐related behaviors (self‐help and goal‐directed extracurricular activities; p < .05) than those in aftercare‐as‐usual at the 6‐ and 9‐month follow‐ups. Conclusions: Results suggest that delivering a structured, behavioral‐based wellness aftercare intervention using mobile texting can be an effective for sustaining recovery outcomes in youth over time compared to youth who receive aftercare‐as‐usual. Scientific Significance: This study shows that a mobile‐texting aftercare intervention sustained effects at 6‐ and 9‐months post‐intervention for young people in substance use recovery. (Am J Addict 2016;25:62–68)