Research Focus Areas

The research foci of the Foundation for Recovery (FFR) can broadly be categorized into five areas: best practices, clinical outcomes, twelve-step efficacy, general knowledge development about recovery from addiction, and development of instruments to assess and more effectively assist persons in managing recovery.

Best Practices

FFR will be a research consumer, synthesizer, and disseminator of research findings related to best practices as related to prevention and treatment of addiction, as well as recovery maintenance. As part of this process, FFR will then conduct or facilitate the conduction of research to fill existing gaps in the knowledge base about best practices in these areas.

Clinical Outcomes

FFR will, through contractual relationships with treatment providers, be involved in research to evaluate efficacy of in- and outpatient treatment programs. This research will focus on traditional treatment programs, as well as specialty treatment of those persons with more complex needs. For example, clinical outcomes for programs that address recovery from addiction in persons with chronic pain diagnoses and recovery from addiction in persons with other psychiatric diagnoses will be undertaken. Ultimately, this line of research will lead to development and implementation of clinical trials to test various approaches to treatments in different populations to assess the most effective clinical approaches for use with specific populations.

Twelve-Step Efficacy

Anecdotal evidence, as well as a small existing body of research, demonstrates efficacy of twelve-step recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. The FFR will extend this body of research with a focus on efficacy of the twelve step program of Narcotics Anonymous.

General Knowledge Development about Recovery from Addiction

There are substantial gaps in knowledge regarding specific recovery experience about which it is not possible to ask informed quantitative questions. Not enough is known in these areas to identify what would be the quantitative questions of interest and/or significance. Therefore, the FFR will undertake or facilitate qualitative studies in these areas to broaden general knowledge about the recovery experience for the dual purpose of increasing understanding and consideration of future quantitative studies as they pertain to each area. The areas of focus for qualitative studies will include: relapse after significant time in recovery, cultural and gender differences within the recovery experience, and experience of transition from methadone maintenance programs to abstinence.

Instrument Development

Many well studied instruments are available to measure addiction while there are no valid reliable instruments to measure existence, onset, or stability of recovery. The utility of such instruments in determining current and on-going status of persons in recovery from addiction and to assess the needs for further intervention would be quite broad. Having such instruments readily available for clinical and research use would facilitate improvements in clinical care and usability of clinical outcomes research.

Research Staff

Denise Crosson, Ph.D., Director of Research Programs
Kelly Dennehy, Research Assistant