Linking Individuals Needing Care for Substance Use Disorders to Peer Coaches

Description

This is a 3-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized via a maximally tolerated imbalance randomization procedure using NCI's Clinical Trial Randomization Tool with 1:1:1 allocation to each group: in-person peer recovery coaching (PRC) with linkage to recovery resources, telemedicine-based peer recovery coaching with linkage to recovery resources, or usual care. In the PRC arms, PRCs will meet patients at bedside (in person) or via a tablet-based video call (telemedicine). They will assess the participant's state of change, engage in motivational interviewing techniques, and link the participant to community-based recovery resources according to the needs of the participant. They will also schedule and perform follow up calls after the participant is discharged from the ED to provide ongoing support and facilitate re-linkage to recovery resources, if needed. Participants in the usual care arm will be provided with a list of community recovery resources, but there will be no PRC interaction or direct linkage to resources through the study. Follow up visits will take place at 7, 30, and 90 days after enrollment. Most will take place via telephone, but participants will be given the option of an in-person visit if they so desire.

Conditions

Substance Use Disorders

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This is a 3-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized via a maximally tolerated imbalance randomization procedure using NCI's Clinical Trial Randomization Tool with 1:1:1 allocation to each group: in-person peer recovery coaching (PRC) with linkage to recovery resources, telemedicine-based peer recovery coaching with linkage to recovery resources, or usual care. In the PRC arms, PRCs will meet patients at bedside (in person) or via a tablet-based video call (telemedicine). They will assess the participant's state of change, engage in motivational interviewing techniques, and link the participant to community-based recovery resources according to the needs of the participant. They will also schedule and perform follow up calls after the participant is discharged from the ED to provide ongoing support and facilitate re-linkage to recovery resources, if needed. Participants in the usual care arm will be provided with a list of community recovery resources, but there will be no PRC interaction or direct linkage to resources through the study. Follow up visits will take place at 7, 30, and 90 days after enrollment. Most will take place via telephone, but participants will be given the option of an in-person visit if they so desire.

Linking Individuals Needing Care for Substance Use Disorders in Urban Emergency Departments to Peer Coaches (LINCS UP): RCT Component

Linking Individuals Needing Care for Substance Use Disorders to Peer Coaches

Condition
Substance Use Disorders
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Atlanta

Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30303

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. ED patient or hospitalized through the ED within last 24 hours
  • 2. Age 18 years or older
  • 3. Able to speak and understand English
  • 4. Clinically sober, able to provide informed consent
  • 5. Score of 3 or greater - "moderate level", "substantial level", or "severe level" of problems related to drug abuse - on Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10).(103, 104)
  • 6. Willing to follow study procedures and complete research follow-up calls
  • 7. Have at least one reliable contact number
  • 1. Medically or psychiatrically unstable as determined by treating physician
  • 2. Prisoner or in police custody
  • 3. Prior participation in the study

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Emory University,

Joseph E Carpenter, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Emory University

Study Record Dates

2025-03