TxSUS Sessions
TxSUS Sessions are live webinars with expert speakers discussing key issues at the intersection of policy and practice. The goal of these sessions is to promote awareness, engagement, and support for innovative projects addressing substance use in Texas.
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Toolkit
This toolkit from the JEAP Initiative is intended as a resource for substance use researchers who are interested in developing effective Community Board partnerships using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR).
COALESCE Modules – Science of Team Science
The course of study is specifically designed to efficiently provide the very best training through an integrated, multidisciplinary, competency-based approach.
Opioid Research Consortium – Resources for Recovery Research
The Studies to Advance Recovery Support (STARS) Network is committed to advancing the understanding of recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) through rigorous research and community education. Members of the STARS team have created this library of videos to help members grow their understanding of the field of recovery research.
Recovery Science Article Summaries
Challenges and Outcomes – Evaluating Minnesota’s Statewide Implementation of Peer Recovery Services
The study evaluated the impact of Medicaid-reimbursable Peer Recovery Services (PRS) on individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in Minnesota, specifically assessing the effectiveness of PRS in improving SUD treatment outcomes, overdose incidents, and mortality rates.
Challenges and Triumphs – Unpacking the Experiences of Peer Support Workers in Substance Use Recovery Systems
This study explored the experiences of peer support workers (PSWs) who are involved in systems of care for substance use recovery. It aimed to understand the challenges and impacts experienced by these workers as they provide support to individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs).
Empowering Recovery – The Impact of Peer Coaching in Underserved Communities
In a study conducted by Hansen et al. (2022) published in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, these researchers unveiled the results of an initiative known as the Peer Recovery Expansion Project (PREP). Conducted in Houston, Texas, this project targeted underserved communities with high rates of substance use disorders (SUDs).
The study gathered and analyzed data to evaluate the impact of peer recovery coaching on various outcomes, including housing stability, employment rates, and mental health conditions.
Enhancing Peer Support – Tailoring Services for Individuals with Disabilities and Opioid Use Disorders
This study explored the unique challenges and needs of individuals with disabilities who are also managing opioid use disorders (OUD). It aimed to understand how peer support models could be adapted to serve this dual-challenged population better.
Enhancing Recovery – Exploring the Impact of Peer Support Workers in Substance Use Care Systems
The study titled “Voices of Hope: Substance Use Peer Support in a System of Care,” conducted by Christian Scannell at Assumption University sheds light on the nuanced roles and experiences of peer support workers (PSWs) within the framework of substance use disorder (SUD) recovery systems. Focusing on the lived experiences of PSWs, the study employed qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews with ten individuals who provide peer support in Massachusetts. These PSWs are critical in assisting others through their recovery journeys, leveraging their personal experiences with SUD to foster a supportive and understanding environment.
Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities – Understanding the Complex World of Peer Recovery Coaches
Given that employing Peer Recovery Coaches (PRCs) is relatively inexpensive in comparison to traditional clinical staff, there has been a rapid expansion of peer services in low-resource community-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment settings (Bassuk et al., 2016). Felton et al. (2023) conducted a study focused on understanding the perceptions of PRCs regarding their work in substance use treatment settings, particularly in a low-resource community like Flint, MI.
Transforming Recovery – How Peer Coaching Boosts Outcomes in Underserved Areas
The Peer Recovery Expansion Project (PREP) was used to measure the efficacy of peer recovery coaching in enhancing treatment outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) in economically disadvantaged areas.
A Close Look at Minnesota’s Peer Recovery Services for Substance Use Disorder
Minnesota’s forward stride in 2018 to make Peer recovery services (PRS) a Medicaid-reimbursable service was guided by the need to enhance support for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). This shift aimed at utilizing credentialed peer specialists who were further along in their recovery journey to support others in their struggles with SUD. Prior research has shown the role of PRS in boosting treatment retention and patient satisfaction, although within smaller settings (Bassuk et al., 2016; Eddie et al., 2019; Reif et al., 2014). The question remained, could such positive outcomes translate to a statewide implementation? Therefore, Tuttle et al. (2024) sought to examine the impact of initiating Medicaid-reimbursable PRS on various outcomes, including treatment completion rates, overdose incidents, and mortality rates among SUD patients.