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| ID | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1R01DA064519-01 | U.S. NIH Grant/Contract | View source |
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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) | NIH |
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The goal of this study is to learn whether a virtual peer recovery coach (PRC) intervention can improve engagement in addiction treatment among incarcerated adults with substance use disorders.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare Treatment-as-Usual with the PRC telehealth intervention to see if PRC support improves engagement in addiction care.
Participants will:
This study evaluates a virtual peer recovery coach (PRC) intervention designed to support adults with substance use disorders during incarceration and the transition back to the community. The trial is conducted across multiple jail facilities in Metro Atlanta, where individuals experience high rates of substance use disorders and limited access to treatment services. Peer recovery coaches-individuals with lived experience who are trained in motivational interviewing and linkage to care-have demonstrated benefit in healthcare settings, but their effectiveness within jail environments has not been rigorously tested.
The intervention adapts an existing virtual PRC model for use in jail settings. PRCs meet with participants through a secure telehealth platform and provide individualized support focused on motivation, readiness for change, and connection to recovery resources. The model is designed to be scalable, flexible, and responsive to the needs of individuals with diverse substance use profiles, including those for whom no FDA-approved medications exist.
The study uses a phased implementation approach in which participating jail sites transition from usual care to the PRC intervention over time. This structure allows the program to be integrated into each facility's workflow while enabling evaluation of the intervention's impact. Participants are followed for one year to assess engagement with recovery resources and other indicators of health, stability, and community reintegration.
The findings will inform whether virtual PRC services can be effectively delivered in jail settings and whether they improve connection to treatment and recovery supports during a period of heightened vulnerability. Results may guide future implementation of peer-based models in correctional systems and other high-risk environments.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRC group | Experimental | Participants meet virtually with a trained peer recovery coach using a secure telehealth platform. PRCs use motivational interviewing, assess readiness to change, and provide individualized linkage to recovery resources. Support may include connection to medications for opioid use disorder, residential treatment, detoxification centers, harm reduction services, mutual support groups, sober living, or recovery community organizations. PRCs may also conduct post-release check-ins to support ongoing engagement. |
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| Standard of Care | Active Comparator | Participants receive the jail's standard approach to substance use support. This includes a review of available community treatment and recovery resources consistent with existing facility practices. No peer recovery coach is involved, and no additional study-driven services are provided. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Peer Recovery Coaching | Behavioral | A telehealth session with a peer recovery coach who provides motivational interviewing and tailored linkage to addiction treatment and recovery resources. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement With at Least One Recovery Resource | Engagement with at least one recovery resource, defined as:
| 30 days and 90 days after enrollment |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Days Receiving Medications for Substance Use Disorders | Number of days participants receive medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), stimulant use disorder, or alcohol use disorder. | Baseline to 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 1 year |
| Recidivism and Justice Involvement |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Carpenter, MD | Contact | 404-778-5975 | jecarpe@emory.edu | |
| Yan Li | Contact | yan.li@emory.edu |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Carpenter, MD | Emory University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta City Detention Center | Atlanta | Georgia | 30303 | United States | ||
| Fulton County Jail |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D019966 | Substance-Related Disorders |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D064419 | Chemically-Induced Disorders |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
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| Treatment as Usual | Behavioral | Participants are provided information about community-based addiction treatment and recovery resources as part of routine jail processes. |
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New arrests, bookings, or jail stays documented through participant report or administrative data. |
| Baseline to 1 year |
| Healthcare Utilization | Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and other acute care encounters. | Baseline to 1 year |
| Recovery Capital (BARC-10) | Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10) A 10-item validated scale that measures a person's internal and external resources that support recovery from substance use. Items assess domains such as social support, coping skills, housing stability, and personal motivation.
| Baseline, 30, 90, 180 days, and 1 year |
| Number of Peer Recovery Coach Contacts | Number of PRC interactions among participants assigned to the intervention arm. | Baseline to 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 1 year |
| Self-Reported Substance Use (TLFB) | Days of substance use in the past 30 days using the Timeline Follow-Back method. A structured calendar-based interview used to measure self-reported substance use over the past 30 days. Participants recall days of use using memory anchors (events, routines). | Baseline, 30, 90, 180 days, and 1 year |
| Fatal Overdose Events | Overdose events identified through participant report, medical records, or community partner data. | Baseline through 1 year |
| Nonfatal Overdose Events | Overdose events identified through participant report, medical records, or community partner data. | Baseline through 1 year |
| Housing status | Current housing status (stable, unstable, homeless) | Baseline, 30, 90, 180 days, and 1 year |
| Employment status | Employment status (full-time, part-time, unemployed) | Baseline, 30, 90, 180 days, and 1 year |
| Social connections and Isolation: PROMIS scale | A validated set of items assessing perceived social support, loneliness, and connectedness.
| Baseline, 30, 90, 180 days, and 1 year |
| All-Cause Mortality | Death from any cause, confirmed through vital records or the National Death Index. | Baseline through 1 year |
| Atlanta |
| Georgia |
| 30318 |
| United States |
| Dekalb County Jail | Decatur | Georgia | 30032 | United States |