James R McKay1, Cheryl Knepper2, Erin Deneke2, Christopher O'Reilly2, Robert L DuPont3. 1. University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 3440 Market St., Suite 370, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Electronic address: jimrache@mail.med.upenn.edu. 2. Caron Treatment Centers, 243 N. Galen Hall Rd., Wernersville, PA, 19565. 3. Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., 6191 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD, 20852.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Physician health programs (PHPs) generate high rates of sustained abstinence in addicted physicians, through a combination of formal treatment, self-help involvement, regular monitoring via random urine toxicology tests, and powerful incentives generated by the threat of losing one's medical license. Recently, Caron Treatment Centers developed a new continuing care intervention, "My First Year of Recovery" (MyFYR), which is modeled after PHPs but provides extended recovery support to a broader segment of those with substance use disorders. This paper presents initial outcome data from MyFYR. METHODS: MyFYR features frequent outcomes monitoring via urine toxicology tests, and also includes a web-based social platform to coordinate efforts of recovery coaches, family members, and others (e.g., employers, probation officers). Participants were the first 198 clients who enrolled in MyFYR after participating in residential treatment at Caron. Substance use outcomes were determined by a combination of urine toxicology tests, client self-report, and information from family members obtained during a 12-month period following entry into MyFYR. RESULTS: Clients in MyFYR provided 70% of scheduled urine samples, for an average of 16.4 urine samples per client. Only 4.1% of the samples tested positive for alcohol or any drug. As determined by urine toxicology and client and family reports, 54% of the participants had some use of alcohol or drugs during the follow-up. Of these relapsed clients, 70.1% were retained or re-engaged in MyFYR, and of these, half were able to re-establish abstinence of two months duration or more, as documented by urine toxicology. DISCUSSION: These initial results are extremely promising, as they document high rates of sustained participation in urine drug test monitoring and positive outcome in clients not under the threat of losing a professional license or incarceration.
INTRODUCTION: Physician health programs (PHPs) generate high rates of sustained abstinence in addicted physicians, through a combination of formal treatment, self-help involvement, regular monitoring via random urine toxicology tests, and powerful incentives generated by the threat of losing one's medical license. Recently, Caron Treatment Centers developed a new continuing care intervention, "My First Year of Recovery" (MyFYR), which is modeled after PHPs but provides extended recovery support to a broader segment of those with substance use disorders. This paper presents initial outcome data from MyFYR. METHODS: MyFYR features frequent outcomes monitoring via urine toxicology tests, and also includes a web-based social platform to coordinate efforts of recovery coaches, family members, and others (e.g., employers, probation officers). Participants were the first 198 clients who enrolled in MyFYR after participating in residential treatment at Caron. Substance use outcomes were determined by a combination of urine toxicology tests, client self-report, and information from family members obtained during a 12-month period following entry into MyFYR. RESULTS: Clients in MyFYR provided 70% of scheduled urine samples, for an average of 16.4 urine samples per client. Only 4.1% of the samples tested positive for alcohol or any drug. As determined by urine toxicology and client and family reports, 54% of the participants had some use of alcohol or drugs during the follow-up. Of these relapsed clients, 70.1% were retained or re-engaged in MyFYR, and of these, half were able to re-establish abstinence of two months duration or more, as documented by urine toxicology. DISCUSSION: These initial results are extremely promising, as they document high rates of sustained participation in urine drug test monitoring and positive outcome in clients not under the threat of losing a professional license or incarceration.
Authors: James R McKay; Deborah H A Van Horn; David W Oslin; Kevin G Lynch; Megan Ivey; Kathleen Ward; Michelle L Drapkin; Julie R Becher; Donna M Coviello Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2010-12
Authors: Karen B Domino; Thomas F Hornbein; Nayak L Polissar; Ginger Renner; Jilda Johnson; Scott Alberti; Lynn Hankes Journal: JAMA Date: 2005-03-23 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: James R McKay; Deborah Van Horn; David W Oslin; Megan Ivey; Michelle L Drapkin; Donna M Coviello; Qin Yu; Kevin G Lynch Journal: Addiction Date: 2011-08-08 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: James R McKay; Deborah H A Van Horn; Kevin G Lynch; Megan Ivey; Mark S Cary; Michelle L Drapkin; Donna M Coviello; Jennifer G Plebani Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2013-09-16