Peer Recovery Support for Substance Use Disorders

(P2P Trial)

Overseen By Ruth Fetter

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: UConn Health

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

11 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach where people who have overcome substance use problems help young adults (ages 18-25) stay in treatment programs. This age group often drops out of treatment early, leading to serious issues like continued drug use and high costs. The goal is to see if this peer support can reduce dropout rates and improve treatment success.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Peer Recovery Support-Delivered Dropout Prevention enhancement?

Research suggests that peer recovery support services can help reduce substance use and improve treatment retention and satisfaction for individuals with substance use disorders. However, more research is needed to clearly distinguish the effects of peer support from other recovery activities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Peer Recovery Support safe for humans?

The available research on Peer Recovery Support for substance use disorders does not specifically address safety concerns, but it highlights the need for more rigorous studies to better understand its effects and implementation challenges. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

How is Peer Recovery Support-Delivered Dropout Prevention enhancement different from other treatments for substance use disorders?

This treatment is unique because it involves peer recovery support, where individuals with personal experience in recovery provide guidance and support to those currently struggling with substance use disorders. Unlike traditional treatments, it focuses on peer-driven mentoring and support, which can improve treatment retention and satisfaction. ^{1 4 5 8 9}

Research Team

Kristyn Zajac, PhD

Principal Investigator

UConn Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults aged 18-25 who are starting outpatient treatment for substance use issues. It's designed to help them stick with their treatment program and not drop out early.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

Initiating outpatient treatment for a substance use problem

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Usual Services

Clinics deliver their normal outpatient services

90 days

Regular visits as per treatment plan

Dropout Prevention Enhancement

Peer recovery support-delivered dropout prevention enhancement added to usual services

90 days

Regular visits as per treatment plan

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for dropout rates and service utilization

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Peer Recovery Support-Delivered Dropout Prevention enhancement

Trial Overview The study tests a new support service delivered by peers who have recovered from addiction themselves. This service aims to improve how well young adults follow through with their substance use disorder treatments.

Participant Groups

Group I: Peer Recovery Support - Delivered Dropout Prevention + Usual Services Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

clinics will continue to deliver their normal outpatient services plus the peer recovery support-delivered dropout prevention enhancement

Group II: Usual Services Active Control 1 Intervention

clinics will continue to deliver their normal outpatient services

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

UConn Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

218

Recruited

59,100+

University of Texas at Austin

Collaborator

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

Oregon Social Learning Center

Collaborator

Trials

36

Recruited

8,900+

Findings from Research

Peer recovery support services (PRSS) have been integrated into the recovery process for opioid use disorder (OUD), but their effectiveness on clinical outcomes remains unclear, as only 12 out of 123 studies met the inclusion criteria for review.

Most studies reported on PRSS engagement and medication for OUD (MOUD) initiation, but findings were inconsistent and varied due to the lack of standardized PRSS interventions and methodological limitations, indicating a need for further research before widespread implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of peer recovery support services on stages of the opioid use disorder treatment cascade: A systematic review. Gormley, MA., Pericot-Valverde, I., Diaz, L., et al.[2022]

In a study of 137 adults with co-occurring psychosis and substance use disorders, adding peer recovery supports to standard care improved engagement in treatment and reduced alcohol use over time.

At three months, skills training alone helped reduce symptoms and alcohol use, while peer support enhanced social connections and outpatient service use; by nine months, it further decreased symptoms and inpatient readmissions, highlighting the long-term benefits of peer support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing outcomes for persons with co-occurring disorders through skills training and peer recovery support. O'Connell, MJ., Flanagan, EH., Delphin-Rittmon, ME., et al.[2020]

Peer recovery support services (PRSS) show promise in improving outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), including reduced substance use, lower relapse rates, and increased treatment satisfaction, based on a systematic review of various studies.

However, the existing research has significant methodological limitations, such as inconsistent definitions of peer roles and a lack of appropriate comparison groups, highlighting the need for more rigorous studies to better understand the efficacy and implementation of PRSS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lived Experience in New Models of Care for Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review of Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Coaching. Eddie, D., Hoffman, L., Vilsaint, C., et al.[2023]

Peer recovery support services are increasingly recognized as valuable in treating substance use disorders, offering a broader range of support than traditional mutual support groups.

The literature review highlights the need for more research to clearly differentiate the specific benefits of peer recovery support services from other recovery activities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer recovery support for individuals with substance use disorders: assessing the evidence. Reif, S., Braude, L., Lyman, DR., et al.[2015]

Buprenorphine is an effective and low-toxicity treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), but two-thirds of patients discontinue treatment within six months, increasing risks of relapse and other negative outcomes.

Peer support programs, which utilize individuals with lived experience of substance use and recovery, can enhance patient retention in OUD treatment by providing education, encouragement, and assistance in overcoming barriers, but clear guidance is needed for their integration into primary care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating peer support services into primary care-based OUD treatment: Lessons from the Penn integrated model. Harris, RA., Campbell, K., Calderbank, T., et al.[2023]

Peer support groups have shown potential benefits in addiction treatment, including reductions in substance use, increased treatment engagement, and improved self-efficacy among participants, based on a review of ten studies conducted in the U.S. since 1999.

Despite these promising findings, the overall lack of rigorously tested empirical studies limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of peer support as a formal intervention in addiction treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Tracy, K., Wallace, SP.[2020]

The PEER program effectively identified clients with substance use disorders who had high needs for social support and were at risk of recidivism, demonstrating its potential to address complex health and social issues among this population.

Despite challenges in client contact and funding stability, the program's sustainability was rated as stable, suggesting that with adjustments to service delivery and risk stratification, it could be further optimized for effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Where It Really Counts: Feasibility and Potential of the Peer Engaged Empowered Recovery Program for Substance-Dependent Jail Inmates. Parekh, T., Cuellar, AE., Farina-Morse, M., et al.[2022]

References

1. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of peer recovery support services on stages of the opioid use disorder treatment cascade: A systematic review. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing outcomes for persons with co-occurring disorders through skills training and peer recovery support. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dropout from 12-step self-help groups: prevalence, predictors, and counteracting treatment influences. [2019]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lived Experience in New Models of Care for Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review of Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Coaching. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer recovery support for individuals with substance use disorders: assessing the evidence. [2015]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating peer support services into primary care-based OUD treatment: Lessons from the Penn integrated model. [2023]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer Recovery Support Services Across the Continuum: In Community, Hospital, Corrections, and Treatment and Recovery Agency Settings - A Narrative Review. [2023]

8. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Where It Really Counts: Feasibility and Potential of the Peer Engaged Empowered Recovery Program for Substance-Dependent Jail Inmates. [2022]