# Continuing Care App for Probationers and Parolees with Substance Use Disorders

> **NIH NIH R44** · COG ANALYTICS, LLC · 2020 · $452,547

## Abstract

Abstract
 Substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to be one of the most serious public health problems in the US.1
Studies have consistently documented a substantially higher prevalence of SUDs among adults under criminal
justice supervision in the community (i.e., probation or parole) as compared to the general population.2-4 There
is growing recognition that addiction is a chronic health condition, and individuals with SUDs typically cycle
through multiple periods of treatment, abstinence, and relapse over several years to achieve and maintain
recovery.5 Studies show that continuing care interventions can provide ongoing support or extend primary
treatment gains with respect to reducing substance use, relapse, and criminal activity.12, 6-12 Recent diffusion of
Internet and smartphone technologies among disadvantaged populations13,14 now offers unprecedented
opportunities for increasing access to quality continuing care interventions as well as chronic disease self-
management tools. Probationers and parolees at high risk for drug abuse relapse and involvement in health
compromising behaviors are an important population that stands to benefit from continuing care technologies.
However, to date, no such technologies exist that are specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of this high-risk
population.
 Building on our team’s extensive experience in the fields of criminology and substance use, we propose to
complete the development of a Continuing Care mobile application (app) and conduct a randomized controlled
trial to assess efficacy among clients on probation or parole who are enrolled in outpatient substance use
treatment. The app is designed to meet the recovery and personal support needs of probationers and parolees
with SUDs who are at elevated risk of relapse, re-arrest, and incarceration. It is guided by the principles of the
transtheoretical model of behavior change and app content is derived from the Your Own Reintegration
System (YOURS) program,15 an empirically-supported16 intervention that focuses on substance use recovery,
reducing criminal thinking and behavior, and managing and building support systems. If proven to be
efficacious, the app could be deployed across the national network of outpatient treatment providers, and be
highly significant in its direct impact on public health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9988499
- **Project number:** 5R44MD008848-03
- **Recipient organization:** COG ANALYTICS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Steven Bernard Carswell
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $452,547
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-07-28 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9988499

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9988499, Continuing Care App for Probationers and Parolees with Substance Use Disorders (5R44MD008848-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9988499. Licensed CC0.

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