Evaluations

• Substance use recovery outcomes among a cohort of youth participating in a mobile-based texting aftercare pilot program.

  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.

• Youth Recovery Outcomes at 6 and 9 Months Following Participation in a Mobile Texting Recovery Support Aftercare Pilot Study

  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.