Efficacy of text-messages in helping former patients (previously treated in addiction centers) to maintain their substance use goal

Efficacy of text messaging-based aftercare following inpatient addiction treatment - DASA (Drug Alcohol SMS Aftercare): a randomised controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN17228973

Enrollment

554

Registered

2017-07-12

Start date

2017-08-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2021-08-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Relapse prevention for former patients who completed addiction treatment successfully Mental and Behavioural Disorders Mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use

Interventions

Randomisation will be undertaken centrally by the Swiss Reasearch Institute for Public Health an Addiction ISGF. The questionnaires will be handed out to the participating treatment centers, and will

support from advisor on demand 2. Intervention group (IG): semi-automatically generated, individualised text-messages: first weekly, then bi-weekly SMS regarding maintenance of abstine

individualised supportive text-messages reward, coping strategies) and active contacting by advisor in case of not-maintaining abstinence resp. controlled alcohol use. SMS messages wi

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Age >=18 years 2. Residential treatment will presumably be finished within one week 3. Main problem substances at beginning of treatment: opioids, cocaine, cannabis or alcohol 4. Personally set goals: abstinence (re. illegal substances and alcohol) or controlled drinking respectively 5. Owning a mobile phone

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Cognitive or linguistic deficits or health impairments which impede following the SMS dialogue

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Maintenance of abstinence (illegal substances such as opiates, cocaine, cannabis; legal substance: alcohol) or maintenance of controlled drinking (depending on personal goals) during the 6 months following inpatient treatment, assessed by self-report at 6-months follow up	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Retention to intervention program (intervention group vs control group), assessed by measuring the proportion of participants which did not actively discontinue programme participation during the study period of 6 months by informing the study center via phone, text message or e-mail 2. 7-day and 30-day point prevalence abstinence and maintenance of controlled drinking, respectively, assessed by self-report at 6-months follow up 3. Acceptance of intervention program by former patients (intervention group vs control group), assessed using the log files of the text messaging system during the study period of 6 months	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Retention to intervention program (intervention group vs control group), assessed by measuring the proportion of participants which did not actively discontinue programme participation during the study period of 6 months by informing the study center via phone, text message or e-mail 2. 7-day and 30-day point prevalence abstinence and maintenance of controlled drinking, respectively, assessed by self-report at 6-months follow up 3. Acceptance of intervention program by former patients (intervention group vs control group), assessed using the log files of the text messaging system during the study period of 6 months

—

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026