Justifying the need for a recovery related surveillance system: Exploratory focused interviews

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims No recovery related surveillance system exists but given the evidence of effectiveness and growing supply, a house‐ and resident‐ level recovery house (RH) surveillance system could be beneficial for data collection on recovery support service (RSS) engagement, and retention; for improved standardization of RH programs and services; and for identification of outcomes associated with long‐term recovery. Methods This study aimed to explore current data collection practices at the resident‐ and house‐ level through qualitative focus interviews of RH representatives. The 13 RH interviews were scheduled with 16 RH representative respondents. Results The most frequently collected resident data was at entry (92%) and departure (85%) and included demographics (n = 5), substance use history (n = 6), treatment and recovery history (n = 5), legal and correctional history (n = 6) and mental health information (n = 7). Recovery support data was collected by 85% of houses. Post‐stay data was only collected by four RHs (31%). Conclusion These results indicate that there is a lack of standardized systematic collection, analysis, and reporting of recovery related data in the RH field. A recovery related surveillance system has the potential to fill this gap and inform and improve standard of resident care to support long‐term recovery from substance use disorder.

Keywords

• data collection
• recovery housing
• substance use disorder
• surveillance system