Exploring the feasibility of text messaging to support substance abuse recovery among youth in treatment.

This exploratory study examined treatment involved youth opinions about (i) the utility of using text messaging to support recovery behaviors after treatment; (ii) important types of text messages that could help youth self-manage their substance use behaviors after treatment; and (iii) programmatic or logistical areas associated with text messaging programs. Eight focus groups were conducted with 67 youth (aged 12-24) enrolled in outpatient and residential publicly funded substance abuse treatment programs around Los Angeles County, California. Results highlight that 70% of youth positively endorsed text messaging as a viable method of intervention during aftercare, 20% expressed ambivalent feelings, and 10% conveyed dislike. Thematic data exploration revealed seven themes related to the types of text messages youth recommend for helping youth avoid relapse after treatment, including positive appraisal (90%), lifestyle change tips (85%), motivational reinforcing (80%), coping advice (75%), confidence boosters (65%), inspiration encouragement (55%), and informational resources (50%). Youth opinions about key logistical features of text messaging programs, including frequency, timing, sender, and length are also examined. Findings offer insight for the development and enhancement of recovery support interventions with substance abusing youth. Results imply text messaging may serve as a promising opportunity for recovery support for young people with substance abuse problems.

Gender comparisons of drug abuse treatment outcomes and predictors.

Gender differences in drug treatment outcomes and predictors were examined among a sample of 511 patients recruited from drug treatment programs across Los Angeles County. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Results showed that women and men started their drug use and treatment careers at similar ages, but men reported greater drug use and criminal involvement at baseline. There were no significant differences by gender in drug use and alcohol use at follow-up but men reported more crimes than women. Separate logistic regression analyses showed that for both women and men, longer treatment retention was associated with drug abstinence and crime desistence at follow-up. Additional baseline predictors of abstinence at follow-up included use of multiple drugs and readiness for treatment for women, and spousal drug use for men. For crime desistence, significant predictors include legal involvement and treatment readiness for women, and legal involvement, use of multiple drugs, and living with children for men. For both women and men, participation in 12-step groups and no spousal drug use during follow-up were related to abstinence. There were both similarities and differences in predictors of treatment outcome for women and men.