Examining correlates of cannabis users' engagement with a digital intervention for substance use disorder: An observational study of clients in UK services delivering Breaking Free Online

Elison-Davies, Sarah; Wardell, Jeffrey D.; Quilty, Lena C.; Ward, Jonathan; Davies, Glyn

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108261

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…These findings indicate that interventions for methamphetamine use should incorporate self-efficacy and coping skills development components (Moos 2007), in addition to clinical approaches to support emotional regulation (Kang et al 2019) and positive lifestyle changes (Juel et al 2017). The dose response identified in previous studies of this specific digital CBT program (Elison, Jones, et al 2017;Elison-Davies, Wardell, et al 2021), and other digital CBT for SUD studies (Mattila et al 2016), was replicated in this study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…the areas of the LBM that are colored red -research indicates people follow this tailoring advice (Elison, Jones, et al 2017). A 'dose response' has also been demonstrated, which suggests the more components of the program someone completes, the better their outcomes (Elison-Davies, Wardell, et al 2021). Significant reductions in substance dependence, depression and anxiety, and biopsychosocial impairment, and improvements in quality of life, have been demonstrated for individuals who engage with the program in UK community settings (Elison et al 2014; and prisons (Davies et al 2017;Elison et al 2015).…”

Section: The Potential Of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Tre...mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The program addresses dependence to multiple substances and also has demonstrated efficacy in community treatment services (e.g. Elison, Jones, et al 2017;, for people using alcohol (Ward et al 2019), cannabis (Elison-Davies, Wardell, et al 2021) and opiates (Elison-Davies, Märtens, et al 2021). The program has demonstrated user acceptability (e.g.…”

Section: The Potential Of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Tre...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between psychosocial risk factors, and changes in substance dependence and psychosocial functioning, during engagement with digital cognitive behavioral therapy for methamphetamine use: use of 'Breaking Free from Substance Abuse' by incarcerated people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elison-Davies¹,

Newsome²,

Jones

et al. 2022

Health Justice

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Background Methamphetamine use can be associated with involvement with correctional services and incarceration. Traditionally, treatments for methamphetamine use have been delivered in-person – however, lockdowns initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced access to such in-person support in prisons. Therefore, in May 2020 a digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for substance use disorders - 'Breaking Free from Substance Abuse' - was made available across prisons in Ohio in order to meet this treatment gap. This represents the first time this digital CBT intervention has been made widely available to incarcerated people residing in prisons or jails in the United States (US). This was a within-subjects study using data from 2187 Ohio prison residents who engaged with this digital CBT program to address their methamphetamine use. Results Participants reported multiple psychosocial risk factors, including moderate to severe substance dependence, depression and anxiety; interpersonal conflict; aggressive behavior; paranoia; and difficulties with work, education and accommodation. Significant reductions in substance dependence, depression/anxiety and biopsychosocial impairment, and improvements in quality of life, were identified in the sample. Risk factors were associated with less positive outcomes, specifically interpersonal conflict and poor mental health. Completion of specific components of the program were associated with more positive outcomes – a dose response was also identified. Conclusions Digital CBT can be delivered in secure US correctional settings and may help to fill unmet needs for in-person treatment. Specifically, this digital CBT program may support incarcerated individuals to address methamphetamine use, with outcomes being associated with psychosocial risk factors and program engagement.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: The Potential Of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Tre...mentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: The Potential Of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Tre...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Associations between psychosocial risk factors, and changes in substance dependence and psychosocial functioning, during engagement with digital cognitive behavioral therapy for methamphetamine use: use of 'Breaking Free from Substance Abuse' by incarcerated people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elison-Davies¹,

Newsome²,

Jones

et al. 2022

Health Justice

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A minority of the selected studies computed the effect size [ 38 , 39 , 40 ] and found low or medium effect sizes. If we compare the effect sizes resulting from digital interventions, as reported in this review, with those of real-world interventions, we observe that real-world treatment interventions produce not only small or medium but also large effect sizes [ 53 , 54 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Help for Substance Users (SU): A Systematic Review

Bonfiglio

Mascia

Cataudella

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The estimated number of Substance Users (SU) globally has currently reached a very high number and is still increasing. This aspect necessitates appropriate interventions for prevention and specific treatments. The literature shows that digital treatments can be useful in the context of health services and substance abuse. This systematic review focuses mainly on research on the effectiveness of digital treatments for SU. Data sources included studies found on PsycINFO, PubMed, SCOPUS, and WebOfScience (WOS) database searches. The following keywords were used: TITLE (digital OR computer OR software OR tablet OR app OR videogame OR seriousgame OR virtualreality) AND ABSTRACT((mental AND health) AND (addiction OR dependence OR substance OR drug)). We focused on peer-reviewed articles published from 2010 through 2021 using PRISMA guidelines. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria (i.e., type of intervention, efficacy in terms of misuse of substances and scored outcomes from questionnaire or toxicology tests, study methodology). The studies included investigations of specific digital treatments for SU of various kinds of drugs. The interventions were administered using personal computers, smartphones, or, in a few cases, tablets. Most of the interventions focused on the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) model and/or on the use strategies, tips, or feedback. A minority provided information or training programs. The current review shows that digital treatments and interventions are effective in reducing the frequency of use, augmenting abstinence, or reducing the gravity of dependence for most of the studies at post-treatment. However, due to the heterogeneity of the variables (i.e., substance type, digital tool used, and treatment administered), there was a reduced generalizability of the results. This review highlights the need to continue the research in this field, and above all, to create effective digital protocols.

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“…Research around the efficacy of BFO has demonstrated significant reductions in substance use, substance dependence, depression and anxiety, and biopsychosocial impairment, and improvements in quality of life—these studies have been conducted with people using opiates [ 18 ], cannabis [ 19 ], alcohol [ 20 ] and methamphetamine [ 21 ]. BFO studies have also been conducted in multiple treatment settings, including eTherapy ‘dual diagnosis’ mental health services [ 22 , 23 ] and in UK [ 24 , 25 ] and US [ 21 ] prisons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining outcomes for service users accessing the Breaking Free Online computer-assisted therapy program for substance use disorders via a ‘telehealth’ approach: protocol for a two arm, parallel group randomized controlled trial

Elison-Davies

Pittard

Myton

et al. 2023

Addict Sci Clin Pract

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Background Breaking Free Online (BFO), a computer-assisted therapy (CAT) program for substance use disorders (SUD), has been available across UK treatment services for the past decade and has demonstrated efficacy. The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to digital and ‘telehealth’ approaches to healthcare delivery becoming more common and accepted, and has in parallel, increased numbers of referrals to SUD services because of the impact pandemic-related stress has had on substance using habits in the general population. Digital and telehealth approaches, such as BFO, have the potential to support the treatment system to meet this increased demand for SUD services. Methods Parallel-group randomized controlled trial of eight-week BFO as an adjunct to standard treatment for SUD, in comparison to standard treatment only, at a National Health Service (NHS) Mental Health Trust in North-West England. Participants will be service users aged 18 years and over with demonstrable SUD for at least 12-months. Interventional and control groups will be compared on multiple measures from baseline to post-treatment assessment at eight-weeks, and then three and six-months follow-up. Primary outcome will be self-reported substance use, with secondary outcomes being standardized assessments of substance dependence, mental health, biopsychosocial functioning and quality of life. Discussion This study will examine whether BFO and telehealth support, when delivered as an adjunct to standard SUD interventions, improves outcomes for services users receiving NHS SUD treatment. Findings from the study will be used to inform both developments to the BFO program and guidance around augmenting the delivery of CAT programs via telehealth. Trial registration registered with ISRCTN on 25th May 2021—registration number: 13694016. Protocol version: 3.0 05th April 2022. Trial status: This trial is currently open to recruitment—estimated to be completed in May 2023.

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Examining correlates of cannabis users' engagement with a digital intervention for substance use disorder: An observational study of clients in UK services delivering Breaking Free Online

Cited by 6 publications

References 38 publications

Associations between psychosocial risk factors, and changes in substance dependence and psychosocial functioning, during engagement with digital cognitive behavioral therapy for methamphetamine use: use of 'Breaking Free from Substance Abuse' by incarcerated people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Associations between psychosocial risk factors, and changes in substance dependence and psychosocial functioning, during engagement with digital cognitive behavioral therapy for methamphetamine use: use of 'Breaking Free from Substance Abuse' by incarcerated people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Digital Help for Substance Users (SU): A Systematic Review

Examining outcomes for service users accessing the Breaking Free Online computer-assisted therapy program for substance use disorders via a ‘telehealth’ approach: protocol for a two arm, parallel group randomized controlled trial

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