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Viera A, Ondrusek A, Tengatenga C, McBurney E, Lauckner J, Tran E, Muilenburg J, Kershaw T, Lauckner C. A Qualitative Exploration of Attitudes Toward Global Positioning System Tracking and Ecological Momentary Assessment Among Individuals in Substance Use Treatment. Subst Use Addctn J 2024; 45:260-267. [PMID: 38258809 DOI: 10.1177/29767342231218514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of tracking technology in substance use research can uncover the role of contextual factors, such as social networks and environmental cues, in triggering cravings and precipitating return to use. Few studies have explored the opinions of individuals in substance use treatment related to tracking technology. METHODS We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with individuals in substance use treatment facilities in Connecticut and Georgia. Interviews were not limited to individuals with any specific substance use disorder. Interviewers described a hypothetical study involving ecological momentary assessment and global positioning system tracking to examine place-based predictors of substance use. Participants were invited to share reactions to this description. We used thematic analysis to identify themes in participant perceptions of this hypothetical research study. RESULTS Most participants shared positive opinions about study participation and expressed little to no concern about the tracking components. Participant concerns focused on the security of their information and the potential burden of responding to study questions. Participants largely understood the importance of study participation for promoting greater understanding of substance use and identified potential therapeutic effects of study participation on their own recovery. CONCLUSIONS Individuals in substance use treatment expressed little concern with research studies or interventions incorporating mobile-tracking elements. Future studies should explore the responsible use of tracking elements in recovery support interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Viera
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashlin Ondrusek
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cecil Tengatenga
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Erin McBurney
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John Lauckner
- Substance Use Research Priority Area, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Emma Tran
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jessica Muilenburg
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Trace Kershaw
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carolyn Lauckner
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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Moffitt T, Fallin-Bennett A, Fanucchi L, Walsh SL, Cook C, Oller D, Ross A, Gallivan M, Lauckner J, Byard J, Wheeler-Crum P, Lofwall MR. The development of a recovery coaching training curriculum to facilitate linkage to and increase retention on medications for opioid use disorder. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1334850. [PMID: 38425462 PMCID: PMC10903364 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1334850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) decreases opioid overdose risk and is the standard of care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Recovery coach (RC)-led programs and associated training curriculums to improve outcomes around MOUD are limited. We describe our comprehensive training curriculum including instruction and pedagogy for novel RC-led MOUD linkage and retention programs and report on its feasibility. Methods–pedagogy and training development The Kentucky HEALing (Helping to End Addiction Long-termSM) Communities Study (HCS) created the Linkage and Retention RC Programs with a local recovery community organization, Voices of Hope-Lexington. RCs worked to reduce participant barriers to entering or continuing MOUD, destigmatize and educate on MOUD and harm reduction (e.g., safe injection practices), increase recovery capital, and provide opioid overdose education with naloxone distribution (OEND). An extensive hybrid (in-person and online, both synchronous and asynchronous), inclusive learning-focused curriculum to support the programs (e.g., motivational interviewing sessions, role plays, MOUD competency assessment, etc.,) was created to ensure RCs developed the necessary skills and could demonstrate competency before deployment in the field. The curriculum, pedagogy, learning environment, and numbers of RCs trained and community venues receiving a trained RC are reported, along with interviews from three RCs about the training program experience. Results The curriculum provides approximately 150 h of training to RCs. From December 2020 to February 2023, 93 RCs and 16 supervisors completed the training program; two were unable to pass a final competency check. RCs were deployed at 45 agencies in eight Kentucky HCS counties. Most agencies (72%) sustained RC services after the study period ended through other funding sources. RCs interviewed reported that the training helped them better explain and dispel myths around MOUD. Conclusion Our novel training and MOUD programs met a current unmet need for the RC workforce and for community agencies. We were able to train and deploy RCs successfully in these new programs aimed at saving lives through improving MOUD linkage and retention. This paper addresses a need to enhance the training requirements around MOUD for peer support specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Moffitt
- University of Kentucky, Substance Use Priority Research Area, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Amanda Fallin-Bennett
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Voices of Hope, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Laura Fanucchi
- College of Medicine, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Sharon L. Walsh
- College of Medicine, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Christopher Cook
- University of Kentucky, Substance Use Priority Research Area, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Devin Oller
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Anna Ross
- Voices of Hope, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Molly Gallivan
- University of Kentucky, Substance Use Priority Research Area, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - John Lauckner
- University of Kentucky, Substance Use Priority Research Area, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jeremy Byard
- Arthur Street Hotel, Louisville, KY, United States
| | | | - Michelle R. Lofwall
- College of Medicine, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Viera A, Tengatenga C, McBurney E, Lauckner J, Tran E, Muilenburg JL, Kershaw TS, Lauckner C. "The Phone is my Lifeline": Use of Mobile Phone Technology to Support Recovery among Individuals in Treatment for Substance Use Disorders. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1360-1366. [PMID: 37331982 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2223265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Background: People experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) face myriad challenges in maintaining changes in substance use after treatment. Mobile phones can play a role in supporting the recovery process. To date, research has not explored how individuals use mobile phones to seek social support as they enter SUD recovery. Objectives: We sought to understand how individuals in SUD treatment use mobile technology in support of their recovery. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with thirty individuals in treatment for any SUD in northeastern Georgia and southcentral Connecticut. Interviews explored participants' attitudes toward mobile technology and how they used mobile technology while using substances, in treatment, and in recovery. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: We identified three major themes related to how participants: (1) adapted their use of mobile technology as they entered recovery, (2) relied on mobile technology for social support while in recovery, while (3) some found aspects of mobile technology triggering. Many individuals in SUD treatment reported using mobile phones to buy or sell drugs; as such, they took measures to adapt their use of mobile technology as they changed substance use behaviors. As they entered recovery, individuals relied on mobile phones for affiliational, emotional, informational, and instrumental support, though some did share they found some aspects of mobile phones triggering. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of treatment providers engaging in conversations around mobile phone use to help individuals avoid triggers and connect with social supports. These findings uncover new opportunities for recovery support interventions utilizing mobile phones as a delivery mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Viera
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - C Tengatenga
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - E McBurney
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - J Lauckner
- Substance Use Research Priority Area, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - E Tran
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - J L Muilenburg
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - T S Kershaw
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - C Lauckner
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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