How to Maintain High Retention Rates in Long-Term Research on Addiction: A Case Report |
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| Authors: | Thomas Solgård Svendsen MSW Aleksander Hagen Erga PhD Egon Hagen PhD James R McKay PhD Anne Lill Mjølhus Njå MA Janne Årstad MSW |
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| Institution: | 1. Researcher, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway;2. Clinical Psychologist, The Norwegian Centre for Movement Disorders, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway;3. Clinical Psychologist, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway;4. Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;5. PhD Candidate, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway |
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| Abstract: | High dropout rates threaten the validity of longitudinal studies involving participants suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). The objective of this article is to evaluate strategies to improve retention. The data analysis was based on an ongoing study of long-term recovery of neurocognitive and psychosocial functions. We used traditional strategies to enhance the contact rate. Common factors in psychosocial treatments and biweekly Short Message Service (SMS; text messaging) monitoring were added to further increase the contact rate. The participants (n = 146) were recruited from treatment facilities for SUD. Assessments were measured at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. This study was successful in retaining a cohort of participants who are typically characterized as having a negative prognosis because of their unstable living arrangements and incomes. Compared to those using GHB, addictive medications, and opiates, the retention rate was the lowest among participants with severe alcohol use disorder (42%). |
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| Keywords: | longitudinal retention substance use disorders text messaging tracking strategies |
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