Using Smartphones to Provide Recovery Support Services

Study Summary

The primary goal of the proposed trial is to examine the effect of combining frequent self-monitoring via Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMAs) and automated interventions via Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs) provided by smartphone, on days of abstinence from drugs and alcohol and HIV risk behaviors over 6 months following treatment discharge. We will recruit 400 participants at discharge (both planned or unplanned) from Illinois' largest treatment organization and randomly assign them in a 2 x 2 factorial design to receive EMA only, EMI only, combined EMA+EMI, or neither (control). Participants in the 3 EMA and EMI groups will receive a smartphone and training after discharge. To help them self-monitor, individuals in the EMA groups will be randomly signaled 6 times daily for 6 months and asked to record their recent substance use, HIV risk behaviors (e.g., needle use, unprotected sex) and exposure to internal and external protective and risk factors, then to rate the extent to which these factors support their recovery or make them want to use drugs or alcohol. Individuals in the EMI groups will have 24/7 access to a smartphone recovery support system. In the combined EMA+EMI group, participants will receive feedback directly following completion of each 2-3 minute EMA, and EMA responses will be used to encourage EMI utilization. The primary hypotheses are H1 Random assignment to a) EMA (vs. not), b) EMI (vs. not), and c) their interaction will be associated with more days of abstinence from drugs and alcohol over the 6 months post discharge. H2 Random assignment to a) EMA, b) EMI, and c) their interaction will be a associated with fewer HIV risk behaviors over the 6 months post discharge. H3 Days abstinent at 3 months post discharge will mediate the effects of a) EMA, b) EMI and c) their interaction on HIV Risk behavior at 6 months post discharge.

Primary Outcome

Days of Abstinence (test-retest rho=.96)= Self-reported days of no drug or alcohol use summed across follow-up waves. An alternative measure is also available, the Substance Frequency Scale (SFS; alpha=.85; test-retest rho=.94), which is the average percent of days reported of any substance use, days of heavy substance use, days of problems from substance use, and days of alcohol, marijuana, crack/cocaine and heroin use. Will be over all 6 months for H1, over the first 3 months for H3.

Interventions

• OTHER EMA Only
• OTHER EMI Only
• OTHER EMA+EMI
• OTHER Neither - RSAU