Peer-Delivered Episodic Future Thinking for Returning Citizens

Returning citizens with substance use disorders (SUD) are at the greatest risk for overdose in the first two weeks following the transition from incarceration. Thus, the reentry period is of specific importance for ensuring individuals are engaged and retained in specialized intervention services. Individuals also face numerous, and highly impactful, decisions during this period. They are required to navigate complex tasks (finding employment, securing housing), often with limited financial and social supports. Of particular concern, recent research suggests that the reentry period, often characterized by instability and limited resources, may reinforce a decision-making approach that favors meeting immediate needs relative to engaging in long-term planning. This focus on attaining smaller but immediately available rewards relative to larger, delayed, rewards (known as delay discounting), in turn, has been associated with a number of negative health outcomes, including substance use and poor treatment outcomes (higher dropout and lower motivation). In other words, the reentry context may create an environment which reinforces individuals' tendencies to engage in short-term, reward-seeking behaviors (e.g. substance use, skipping treatment appointments) at a time when their decisions have highly significant consequences (relapse, recidivism). This study will examine the efficacy of implementing a low-cost, brief intervention (Episodic Future Thinking) targeting the reduction of delay discounting with the reentry population to inform broader public health efforts aimed at reducing substance misuse and improvements in treatment outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years of age
• Experience in an incarceration setting within 12 months
• Identify as an individual in substance use recovery
• Willing to participate in the study
• Able to participate in written assessments and an intervention conducted in English
• Willing to receive brief bi-weekly check-in calls for one month, email, and other phone messages related to study participation including SMS/text messages as needed

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals' ineligible or unwilling to participate in study activities and assessments
• Self-reporting of active and untreated psychosis