“The Phone is my Lifeline”: Use of Mobile Phone Technology to Support Recovery among Individuals in Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Background: People experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) face myriad challenges in maintaining changes in substance use after treatment. Mobile phones can play a role in supporting the recovery process. To date, research has not explored how individuals use mobile phones to seek social support as they enter SUD recovery. Objectives: We sought to understand how individuals in SUD treatment use mobile technology in support of their recovery. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with thirty individuals in treatment for any SUD in northeastern Georgia and southcentral Connecticut. Interviews explored participants’ attitudes toward mobile technology and how they used mobile technology while using substances, in treatment, and in recovery. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: We identified three major themes related to how participants: (1) adapted their use of mobile technology as they entered recovery, (2) relied on mobile technology for social support while in recovery, while (3) some found aspects of mobile technology triggering. Many individuals in SUD treatment reported using mobile phones to buy or sell drugs; as such, they took measures to adapt their use of mobile technology as they changed substance use behaviors. As they entered recovery, individuals relied on mobile phones for affiliational, emotional, informational, and instrumental support, though some did share they found some aspects of mobile phones triggering. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of treatment providers engaging in conversations around mobile phone use to help individuals avoid triggers and connect with social supports. These findings uncover new opportunities for recovery support interventions utilizing mobile phones as a delivery mechanism.

Keywords:

• substance use treatment
• mobile technology
• social support
• recovery
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Reflexivity statement

All interviewers and coders were trained and/or experienced in qualitative research methodology. Author 1, who conducted interviews, coding, and analysis, identifies as a Latinx and White gay male who was a doctoral candidate at the time of conducting the interviews. He has a long history of working in the field of substance use. Author 2, who conducted interviews and coding, is a Black trans non-binary researcher with experience working with individuals living with substance use, particularly those who are unstably housed and living with co-occurring chronic health conditions as a spiritual care clinician, community health worker, and policy maker. Author 3, who was substantially involved in coding, is a White female with a Master of Public Health degree at the time of conducting interviews. She has a long history of working in the field of social and behavioral research. Author 4, who conducted interviews, is a White male who was a study coordinator at the time of conducting the interviews. He had been working in academia for approximately 9 years. Author 5, who conducted interviews, is an Asian American cisgender woman who was a full-time research assistant at the time of conducting the interviews. She has both professional and familial experiences in substance use. Author 6, who conducted interviews, is a cisgender White female who has a PhD in behavioral health. She is the Principal Investigator of the project and has conducted research on substance use for many years. Author 8, who was substantially involved in coding and analysis, is a White female who has led and participated in multiple research projects examining substance and alcohol use in vulnerable populations.

In addition to the authors, there were two interviewers who are not listed as authors. Interviewer 1 is a Black and Latinx heterosexual female who was a postdoctoral fellow completing training in substance abuse prevention at the time of conducting the interviews. Interviewer 2 is a White male who was a Master’s candidate at the time of conducting interviews. His past work providing community resources to HIV positive individuals led him to an interest in the intersectionality of stigmatized identities, including substance use and comorbid mental health issues.

The interviewers, coders, and authors, who were all fully employed in or affiliated with academic institutions at the time of the interviews, bring their own personal experiences and understanding of substance use, substance use treatment, and technology, which may affect their interpretation of the data.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (F31AA028992, R01AA025954).