The SUbstance dependence ProsPective Outcome Recovery Trial (SUPPORT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-centre, phase 3, randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Recovery Check-In aftercare intervention for people completing community treatment for alcohol and drug dependence.
IRAS ID
364601
Contact name
John Marsden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11730551
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
People completing treatment for alcohol or drug dependence are at high risk of returning to substance use once treatment ends. While aftercare support has been shown to help people stay well in the United States, there has been no large study of this type of support in the United Kingdom.
This study, called the SUbstance dependence ProsPective Outcome Recovery Trial (SUPPORT), aims to find out whether a structured aftercare programme helps people maintain recovery after completing community alcohol or drug treatment. The aftercare programme being tested is called Recovery Check-In, which involves regular supportive contact with a trained peer or professional worker.
SUPPORT is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It will take place in around 20 NHS and third-sector community services across England, including urban, rural, and coastal areas.
Around 1,938 adults who have completed community treatment for alcohol or drug dependence will be invited to take part. People will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group will receive the Recovery Check-In (RCI) programme for 12 months. This begins with a face-to-face meeting, followed by brief telephone check-ins (weekly for the first two months, fortnightly for the next four months, and monthly thereafter). The comparison group will receive information about local support services only.
Researchers from King’s College London will contact participants regularly over 12 months to ask about substance use, wellbeing, and recovery. A smaller number of participants will also be invited to take part in interviews to share their experiences of the RCI programme.
The study begins with a short pilot phase. If this is successful, the full study will continue. The results will help improve aftercare support for people leaving alcohol and drug treatment services in the UK.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0217
Date of REC Opinion
25 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion