About the Study
People are capable of making great changes in their lives. Of particular interest is how people make changes to their problematic substance use. No one solution or pathway works for all—this reflects the uniqueness of each person. This study seeks to understand the diversity in people's stories as they navigated resolving problems with drugs and/or alcohol. What helped? What hindered? How can we approach treatment in ways that capitalize on individual strengths and allow people to reach their full potential? These are just some questions this study is seeking to answer.
Survey Phase
This study consists of two phases. First, there is a public survey open to anyone who identifies as having resolved a prior issue with drugs and/or alcohol or considers themselves to be in recovery. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes, is unpaid, and is completely voluntary. It asks about the nature of your prior use, the process you underwent to change your use, and some questions about how you see yourself.
The survey is completely anonymous unless you choose to provide contact information to participate in a follow-up interview. If you volunteer for an interview, please know that participation is not guaranteed. You will be placed in a pool with other volunteers, and selection will be partly random and partly deliberate to ensure maximum diversity among interview participants.
You can take the survey by clicking here.
Interview Phase
The second phase is a compensated ($40) in-depth interview. Interviews last approximately 60-90 minutes and focus on better understanding your unique attributes and story. The interview will specifically explore your thought processes, your internal dialogue, and how your identity plays a role in making changes in your life. All interviews take place virtually and are scheduled at your convenience.
Analyzing the Results
The results of this study will be used for a doctoral dissertation project examining how individuals navigate obstacles and opportunities in their social environments while demonstrating agency in changing their behavior. As someone who has demonstrated resilience and strength in your journey, your insight is greatly valued.
The information you and all other participants provide will be analyzed and presented in the final dissertation. This website will provide updates as the project progresses. If you would like to receive email alerts for future updates, you can sign up below.
This research project has been approved by the Temple University Institutional Review Board (IRB #32681).
If you have any additional questions, you can email us at howchangehappensstudy@gmail.com