RecruitingInterventional

A study testing a follow-up support programme to help people maintain recovery after drug and alcohol treatment

The SUPPORT study is investigating a new way to help people stay well after finishing treatment for drug or alcohol problems. Many people find it hard to maintain their recovery, so this study is testing a programme called the Recovery Check-In (RCI). RCI provides ongoing support, encouragement, and practical help for 12 months after treatment ends. The study will compare RCI to the usual care people receive when discharged. Researchers want to find out if RCI helps people avoid returning to drug or alcohol use. Adults aged 18 and over who are completing treatment for moderate to severe drug or alcohol dependence in England are invited to take part.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Enrolment target

1,938

Start

05 May 2026

Estimated completion

29 Feb 2028

Moderate-severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), cannabis use disorder (CaUD), cocaine use disorder (CoUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), or other drug* use disorder

What is this study about?

Many people successfully complete treatment for drug or alcohol problems, but it can be really tough to stay on track once that structured support ends. Often, people are given general information and left to manage on their own, which can lead to them returning to drug or alcohol use. This study is trying to address that gap.

It's looking at a new support programme called the Recovery Check-In (RCI). The idea behind RCI is to give people continued support and encouragement after they leave treatment services. This support would involve regular check-ins, either by phone or video call, from a trained worker over a whole year. These sessions would focus on helping people maintain their recovery, spot any potential challenges, and connect them with any extra help they might need.

The main goal of this study is to see if the RCI programme is more effective at helping people stay free from drugs and alcohol compared to the standard support usually offered when someone finishes treatment. By comparing these two approaches, researchers hope to find better ways to support people in their long-term recovery journey. The information gathered could help improve future services for everyone.

Key takeaways

Tests a new support programme (RCI) for maintaining recovery after drug or alcohol treatment.
Compares RCI with standard discharge care over 12 months.
Involves adults completing treatment for various substance use disorders in England.
Participation includes random assignment to a group and phone interviews.
Aims to improve long-term support for people in recovery.
Minimal risks; participants can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over. You must be completing treatment for moderate to severe problems with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, or other drugs. This means you’re finishing your current treatment plan and want to leave the service.

It's important that you can be contacted by phone for follow-up during the study. The study is for people being discharged from structured treatment services across England.

There are a few reasons you wouldn't be able to join: if you've recently had thoughts or attempts of harming yourself, if you're likely to go to prison soon, or if you're already in another research study that involves new treatments. You also can't join if you've been part of this specific "SUPPORT" study before.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently completing treatment for moderate to severe drug or alcohol problems?
Are you ready to leave your treatment service after finishing your care plan?
Can you be easily contacted by phone throughout the next year?
Do you have a current safe living situation with no current suicide plans or recent attempts (past 6 months)?
Are you not currently involved in another research study that tests new treatments?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will receive the Recovery Check-In (RCI) programme. This involves an initial chat, followed by regular phone or video calls with a trained worker over 12 months. These calls are focused on supporting your recovery.

The other group will receive the usual care, which means you'll get standard information about local support services when you're discharged. Regardless of which group you're in, all participants will be asked to complete a few research interviews and fill out some questionnaires over the phone. These will happen at different times over the 12 months of the study. The total duration of your involvement in the study will be about one year.

Potential risks and benefits

If you're in the RCI group, you might benefit from having extra structured support after finishing your treatment, which could help you stay in recovery. All participants will be contributing to important research that could lead to better support services for others in the future. The risks in this study are very small. You might feel a little uncomfortable discussing personal experiences related to your past drug or alcohol use, but you can skip any questions you don't want to answer, and you're free to stop an interview or leave the study at any time.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Beckenham, England
Sites across England, including NHS and third-sector drug and alcohol treatment services.
City only
-, England

Common questions

What is the Recovery Check-In (RCI) programme?

It's a support programme that offers regular phone or video calls with a trained worker for 12 months after you finish drug or alcohol treatment, to help you stay in recovery.

Who is running this study?

King’s College London is leading the study, working with NHS services and other treatment organisations across England. The main NHS partner is South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Will I get special medicine in this study?

No, this study is about a support programme, not new medicines. You'll either get the RCI support or standard information about services.

When does the study start and end?

The study is planned to start in May 2026 and finish around May 2029, including all follow-up checks.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.

How to find out more

Stephen Lisk

SUPPORTtrial@kcl.ac.uk +44 020 7848 0377 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.