Smartphone Addiction Recovery Coach for Young Adults (SARC-YA) Experiment

At discharge from outpatient treatment, researchers will recruit 300 young adults and randomly assign them to recovery support as usual control condition or the Smartphone Addiction Recovery Coach for Young Adults (SARC-YA) experimental condition. Participants in the experimental conditions will receive a smartphone, a calling/texting/data plan, and the SARC-YA mobile applications for the first 6 months post treatment discharge. Experimental participants will 1) complete a 2-3 minute recovery-focused ecological momentary assessment (EMA) at 5 random times a day, receive feedback on their current answers, and provided access to behavioral charting of their past answers over time; and 2) receive continuous access to a suite of self-initiated ecological momentary interventions (EMI) to support their recovery via tool box of coping tools, apps related to getting support, and apps related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Data include standardized assessments, urine tests, mobile phone metadata, EMA responses, and EMI utilization. The study's aims and their associated hypotheses are:

Aim 1: Test the effects of experimental assignment on the frequency of substance use.

H1 Relative to the control group, participants in the experimental group will have lower scores on the quarterly Substance Frequency Scale (3, 6, 9 months post- discharge). Aim 2: Evaluate the extent to which the experimental effects are moderated by baseline substance use frequency. H2 The Substance Frequency Scale Scores at intake will moderate the effects of experimental on the quarterly subsequent Substance Frequency Scale scores. Aim 3: Test the extent to which the frequency of substance use mediates the effects of experimental assignment on other aspects of recovery including SUD symptoms, HIV risk behavior, quality of life, mental wellness, and days of school. H3a Relative to the control group, participants in the experimental group will have better scores on other aspects of recovery (reverse of number of SUD symptoms, reverse of HIV risk behaviors, quality of life, mental wellness, days of school) in the quarterly interviews. H3b Higher Substance Frequency Scale scores (regardless of assignment) in a given quarter will be associated with worse scores on other aspects of recovery in the next quarter. H3c Substance Frequency Scale scores in a given quarter will mediate the impact of the experimental assignment on other aspects of recovery in the next quarter. Aim 4: Within the experimental condition, determine the degree to which EMA responses (e.g., use, withdrawal, craving, negative and positive affect) and EMI utilization predict the duration of abstinence (to be done within experimental condition.) H4a The duration of abstinence will be negatively related to EMA measures of the recency of use, withdrawal, craving, low self-efficacy to resist relapse, increased negative affect, and decreased positive affect. H4b The duration of abstinence will be positively related to immediate and cumulative EMI utilization.

Inclusion criteria

• discharge from an adolescent outpatient SUD treatment program to the community;
• substance use during the 90 days prior to treatment;
• aged 18 to 26 at the time of discharge;

Exclusion criteria

• inability to read and communicate in English;
• does NOT reside or plan to stay in Chicago during the next 9 months;