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Monitoring the process of recovery. Using electronic pagers as a treatment intervention
1Program Evaluation and Research, Parkside Medical Services Corporation, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068.
Recent Developments in Alcoholism : an Official Publication of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism, the Research Society on Alcoholism, and the National Council on Alcoholism
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study used electronic pagers to document the recovery process in real-time, moving beyond just identifying successful treatment outcomes. This innovative approach provides insights into how individuals achieve sustained recovery from substance abuse.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Psychology of recovery
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Traditional recovery research often focuses on post-treatment outcomes and associated characteristics.
- Existing studies identify who recovers but not the dynamic process of recovery itself.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the real-time process of recovery as it unfolds.
- To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying successful recovery from substance abuse.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electronic pagers to collect data on individuals during their recovery journey.
- Employed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques to capture in-the-moment experiences.
Main Results:
- Successfully documented the unfolding process of recovery in real-time.
- Provided a novel dataset for analyzing the temporal dynamics of recovery.
Conclusions:
- Real-time data collection offers a more nuanced understanding of recovery than outcome-based studies.
- This methodology has informed the development of a clinical trial incorporating monitoring into aftercare treatment.