“Becoming myself”: how participants in a longitudinal substance use disorder recovery study experienced receiving continuous feedback on their results

Abstract

Background: Being a participant in longitudinal follow-up studies is not commonly a factor considered when investigating useful self-change aspects for individuals attempting recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). This study reports on how ongoing monitoring, and feedback on data results in a longitudinal follow-up study of SUD recovery were perceived by individuals who had achieved long-term abstinence and social recovery. Methods: Interviewers with first-hand experience with the topic conducted interviews with 30 participants and analysed the data using a thematic analytic approach within an interpretative-phenomenological framework. Results: Analyses resulted in the following themes. 1) Ongoing short text messaging (SMS) monitoring: helped participants by offering recovery milestones and reminders of the past. 2) Feedback on data results helped participants track physical and cognitive recovery: "I am more like myself". 3) Using feedback in treatment: understanding the importance of a functional brain to participants may help with long-term retention in treatment. Conclusions: Self-changes that were challenging to detect on a day-today basis were available for reflection through longitudinal study participation, including ongoing monitoring and feedback on the results, allowing personal consolidation of change processes. Clinical services could benefit from continuing development and implementation of such technology for ongoing monitoring and feedback on assessments to motivate self-change in SUD recovery. The development of guidelines for providing the results of research assessments to individuals could help reduce attrition in research projects and support recovery and healthy choices for study participants.

“And Then the Rest Happened”— a Qualitative Exploration of the Role that Meaningful Activities Play in Recovery Processes for People with a Diagnosis of Substance use Disorder

“…10 We have also explored their experiences of how close relationships may have impacted recovery, 11 their perceived benefits of drug use, 12 and how ongoing monitoring and feedback on the data results in a longitudinal follow-up study on SUD recovery were described. 13 Now, we examine the parts of this material that focus on the role of meaningful activities. In doing so, we have approached these activities in a broad sense and included both work and leisure, as both are found to be associated with important health benefits for people with an SUD.…”

Securing Participant Engagement in Longitudinal Substance Use Disorder Recovery Research: A Qualitative Exploration of Key Retention Factors

“…In addition, we added motivational strategies, such as early establishment of working alliances, to facilitate cooperation and adapted the study protocol to the individual needs of each participant [48]. We have previously explored participants' experiences of receiving continuous feedback on their results [47], emphasizing the function of feedback and short messaging service (SMS) as important reminders of the importance of long-term efforts and comprehensive self-change in recovery processes.…”

“…The annual assessment used 14 instruments and self-report forms (see ''Appendix''). We used organizational and motivational strategies to enhance retention rates in the Stayer study, such as reminders of appointments, flexible visiting characteristics [48], and access to data on request [47].…”

“…Examples of organizational strategies and tracking techniques are visiting practices, reminders, contact, and scheduling methods, and recruitment of trained and engaged study staff [25,43]. The use of motivational strategies, such as financial incentives [14] and access to study results [29,47], has also been reported.…”

Balancing standards and flexibility – Preconditions for a recovery-based tool in a Swedish alcohol and drug treatment context

“…Martinell and Barfoed (2014) states that the ASI tool is important for, and has the ability to affect, the interaction between social worker and client (Martinell Barfoed 2014). Further, research on clients' perspective have shown that monitoring (Scott et al, 2005) and continuous feedback, which regular assessments provide, can help motivate client progress and contribute to recovery (Svendsen et al 2020).…”