Program Reviews

Educating & Supporting Inquisitive Youth in Recovery (ESQYIR)

Program Overview

Educating & Supporting Inquisitive Youth in Recovery (ESQYIR) is a text-message substance use relapse recovery support program for youth. The program sends daily texts offering personalized monitoring questionnaires, health advice, and information relating to key issues that can lead to relapse.

Last Updated: 10/31/2024

Delivery:
Mobile phone

Theoretical Approaches:
Social Cognitive Theory

Target Substance(s):
Methamphetamine//amphetamines
Cocaine
Opiates
Marijuana
Benzodiazepines
Heroin
Prescription drugs
Other/polydrugs (alcohol included)

Target Outcome(s):
Relapse
Substance use severity
Recovery behaviors

Ages:
12-24

Genders:
Male
Female

Races/Ethnicities:
Caucasian
Hispanic
African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
Native American

Setting:
Remote Access

Geographic Location:
Los Angeles County, California

Country:
USA

Language:
English

Evaluations

  • Gonzales R, Ang A, Murphy DA, Glik D, Anglin MD. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 2014. 47:20-26.

    Summary: This study compared post-treatment results from youth randomly assigned to participate in the ESQYIR program or to a control group that received normal aftercare. Data from urine tests, the Teen-Addiction Severity Index, the Global Appraisal Inventory of Needs, and the Brief addiction monitor was collected at baseline, monthly for 12 weeks, and 90 days post-intervention. Those in the ESQYIR condition relapsed significantly less often, used fewer substances, and took part in 12-step meetings and other recovery extracurriculars more frequently than those in the control condition.

    Take Away: ESQYIR is an inexpensive, personal, and convenient tool for preventing relapse in youth after treatment for substance abuse, and results show that it may even do this better than the aftercare as usual condition.

  • Gonzales R, Hernandez M, Murphy D, Ang A. The American Journal on Addictions. 2016. 25:62-68.

    Summary: This study was a continuation of the previous study, collecting more data at 6 and 9 months post-intervention. The results were similar to those gathered at the 90-day assessment: Those in the ESQYIR conditioned relapsed significantly less often to their primary drug and took part in positive recovery behaviors such as extracurriculars and self-help more frequently than those in the control condition. Those in the ESQYIR condition also rated themselves as more confident about not relapsing than those in the control condition.

    Take Away: This follow-up study shows that the beneficial effects of ESQYIR last as long as 6 and 9 months after the intervention has taken place.

  • Testing mediational processes of substance use relapse among youth who participated in a mobile texting aftercare project. Gonzales-Castaneda R, McKay JR, Steinberg J, et al. Substance abuse. 2022;43(1):1-12. doi:10.1080/08897077.2019.1671941