THE RENEW STUDY

To be eligible to participate you must: 

1. Be at least 18 years of age
2. Speak and read English
3. Starting formal treatment for alcohol-related problems
4. Have no plans to move for one year
5.  

The study’s goal is to try and better understand how people you are around and places you go may impact your sobriety.

The study will take place over one year. Please see STUDY TIMELINE  for more information.

Participants will be asked to

1. Complete five interviews
2. Allow their cell hone activity and GPS coordinates to be monitored
3. Complete short, daily surveys

1. 1. During interviews, participants will be asked questions about their social network, mental health, and substance use through a computer. 
   2. Morning surveys delivered to your cell phone will ask questions about how your previous day and evening were as well as who from your social circle that you had seen. Additionally, these surveys will ask if you have used drugs and/or alcohol since taking your last survey. 
   3. You may get a second daily survey if you are at or near one of the locations you described in the Activity Space Assessment that you go to hang out or use substances. These surveys will also take 2-3 minutes to complete and will ask about your experience while at the triggered location as well as drug use and alcohol consumption while there. Additionally, these surveys will ask about the demographics of the location, such as if it was crowded or dark or if you felt safe. You will also be asked about your social group who attended that location with you. 

1. For participants associated with Yale University, interviews will take place at 135 College Street in New Haven.
2. For participants associated with the University of Georgia, interviews will take place at 100 Foster Road in Athens.
3. All interviews are scheduled in advance with the participant and will take place at the beginning of the study, after 3 months of cell phone monitoring, and after 6, 9, and 12 months. 

We will collect your GPS coordinates information using special software. All cell phone monitoring is kept private and is only shared with members of the research team. 

No. All study related information is confidential and protected under federal law. No information obtained in this study can be used against a participant in any way for any reason by anyone.

Participants are paid $600 for completing all aspects of this study.

Study participants will be paid in cash.

1. 1. If you are a participant in Athens, GA please contact: 
   2. If you are a participant in New Haven, CT please contact: 

Cell phones have made it easier to maintain and develop social networks and to share information among individuals. This study has the potential to develop the use of cell phone technology as a tool to better assist those who are entering treatment for alcohol related problems.  With your help we can create interventions in real time to assistant treatment facilities in helping with delivering services to their clients.  

View the PRIVACY POLICY