Article
Details
Citation
Belanger MJ, Sondhi A, Mericle AA, Leidi A, Klein M, Collinson B, Patton D, White W, Chen H, Grimes A, Conner M, De Triquet B & Best D (2024) Assessing a pilot scheme of intensive support and assertive linkage in levels of engagement, retention, and recovery capital for people in recovery housing using quasi-experimental methods. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 158, Art. No.: 209283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2023.209283
Abstract
Introduction
Strong and ever-growing evidence highlights the effectiveness of recovery housing in supporting and sustaining substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, especially when augmented by intensive support that includes assertive linkages to community services. This study aims to evaluate a pilot intensive recovery support (IRS) intervention for individuals (n = 175) entering certified Level II and III recovery residences. These individuals met at least three out of five conditions (no health insurance; no driving license; substance use in the last 14 days; current unemployment; possession of less than $75 capital). The study assesses the impact of the IRS on engagement, retention, and changes in recovery capital, compared to the business-as-usual Standard Recovery Support (SRS) approach (n = 1758).
Methods
The study employed quasi-experimental techniques to create weighted and balanced counterfactual groups. These groups, derived from the Recovery Capital assessment tool (REC-CAP), enabled comparison of outcomes between people receiving IRS and those undergoing SRS.
Results
After reweighting for resident demographics, service needs, and barriers to recovery, those receiving IRS exhibited improved retention rates, reduced likelihood of disengagement, and growth in recovery capital after living in the residence for 6–9 months.
Conclusion
The results from this pilot intervention indicate that intensive recovery support, which integrates assertive community linkages and enhanced recovery coaching, outperforms a balanced counterfactual group in engagement, length of stay, and recovery capital growth. We suggest that this model may be particularly beneficial to those entering Level II and Level III recovery housing with lower levels of recovery capital at admission.
Keywords
Recovery residence; Recovery capital; REC-CAP; Assertive linkage; Retention
Journal
Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment: Volume 158
| Status | Published |
|---|---|
| Funders | University of Dundee |
| Publication date | 31/03/2024 |
| Publication date online | 31/12/2023 |
| Date accepted by journal | 22/12/2023 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV |
| ISSN | 0740-5472 |
People (1)
Lecturer in Substance Use, Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services & Research