A Peer Recovery Coaching Intervention for Hospitalized Alcohol Use Disorder Patients
Clemson University
Summary
The project objective is to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of a peer recovery coaching intervention (called RC-Link) in patients hospitalized with medical complications from alcohol use on recovery outcomes guided by the new NIAAA definition of recovery, examine mechanisms of heavy drinking using daily ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and determine the program's cost-effectiveness using an randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The primary outcomes are frequency of heavy drinking, biopsychosocial functioning, and remission from AUD.
Description
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is the third leading cause of preventable deaths in U.S. and accounts for over 10% of U.S. hospital admissions. Treatment for this population often fails to address the underlying cause of the hospitalization: the AUD. Patients hospitalized with alcohol-related medical complications tend to have high-risk for recurrence of alcohol-related medical problems, high rates of hospital readmissions, and poor recovery outcomes. Methods that promote long-term recovery care are needed. Inpatient linkage to peer recovery coaching may bridge this gap in care by providing a metho…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Live within 50 miles of the recruitment and plan to stay in the area for at least 6 months * Current DSM-V criteria for moderate or severe AUD (measured by a score of ≥4 on the DSM-V Checklist) * Hospitalized with a principal, primary, or secondary AUD-related diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide informed consent * Patients referred to hospice during hospitalization * Women who are pregnant * Comorbid diagnosis or at-risk for methamphetamine, cocaine, or opioid use disorder as determined by a score of ≥4 on the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Modif…
Interventions
- BehavioralPeer recovery coaching (PRC)
The RC-Link peer recovery coaching intervention provides participants with an introduction to an RC-Link coach during their hospitalization. The RC-Link coach delivers coaching and support services for a 6-month period using a standardized PRC Checklist. During the baseline visit, the RC-Link coach first develops a personalized recovery plan with the participant that emphasizes multiple pathways to recovery, including different types of mutual aid groups, counseling, and alternative recovery tools. The approach empowers the participant with an actionable recovery plan that can be initiated upon discharge, but the plan can be modified as changes arise. After the initial baseline encounter, the RC-Link coach initiates phone, virtual, and/or in-person contact with the participant a minimum of twice weekly using the PRC Checklist to standardize service delivery.
- BehavioralBrief Intervention (SBIRT)
The control will receive a brief intervention, usual care (a referral list), contact information for the study team and hospital case management, and a follow-up contact at the end of the study period. The brief intervention entails (a) using motivational interviewing to gauge the individual's perspective of drinking, how it influences their life, and readiness for change; (b) provide information about the risks of hazardous drinking and potential ways to reduce drinking; (c) elicit their feedback; listen to their concerns; offer encouragement; encourage them to establish goals for behavior change; and (d) provide resources for change (e.g., the referral list). The referral list includes contact information for no-cost peer recovery coach through FAVOR that the participant could choose to call via self-referral. Thus, control participants are able to be linked to PRC, but they must initiate the call and initial visit outside the hospital setting.
Locations (2)
- Greenville Memorial HospitalGreenville, South Carolina
- Oconee Memorial HospitalSeneca, South Carolina