The daily progress system: A proof of concept pilot study of a recovery support technology tool for outpatient substance abuse treatment

Abstract

Background: Illicit substance use remains highly prevalent in the US, and epidemiological surveillance surveys estimate that in 2015, over 27 million individuals (10.1% of the US population) 12 years of age or older used illicit drugs in the past 30 days.¹ Outpatient treatment delivered in community-based settings is the dominant modality for addiction treatment, typically involving weekly psychosocial counseling sessions in an individual and/or group format.^2,3 Unfortunately, relapse and premature treatment discontinuation are quite common in outpatient treatment.^3-5 Objectives: This is a pilot proof of concept feasibility study involving clients presenting for outpatient SUD treatment. This study sought to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the Daily Progress System (DPS), a telephone-based software program, using interactive voice response (IVR), designed to enhance quality care and improve client outcomes.

Methods: Individuals who presented at the participating treatment clinic, who met study eligibility criteria, and who provided written informed consent to participate were included in the study (N = 15; 53.3% females). Incentives were paid to participants for calls completed.

Results: Participants completed 65% of scheduled daily call-ins, representing 273 person-days of data on client cravings, mood, substance use, and involvement in recovery support activities. The average call duration was approximately 2 minutes and 42 seconds. There was a high degree of client and counselor acceptance and satisfaction using the system. Conclusions and Clinical Significance: Findings suggest that the DPS appears to be a feasible means of potentially addressing relapse and treatment engagement issues based on client and counselor engagement and satisfaction with the system.

Keywords: Outpatient treatment; substance abuse treatment; substance use disorders; technology-based interventions.

Figure 1.

DPS call-in rate for each participant.

Figure 2.

DPS call-in rate in days with and without per-call incentives Proportion of completed calls to the DPS during the period with incentives (days 1–21; 315 call-in opportunities) and without incentives (days 22–28; 105 call-in opportunities).