An online program to strengthen romantic relationships for couples in recovery from substance misuse

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The program adapts Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy into a web-based format tailored for couples involved in recovery, delivering about eight hours of digital content plus five brief coach calls. Couples complete online surveys before and after the program and receive $200 per couple for participating in assessments. The approach builds on a prior randomized trial of the OurRelationship program and aims to document effects and generate ideas for future improvements to support social recovery capital. Implementation is remote via phone or computer, with enrollment coordinated through three collaborating community sites.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible to participate, couples will need to be:

1. in a romantic relationship and married, engaged, cohabiting, or dating exclusively for \>6mo;
2. Age 18+
3. Both partners are willing to participate in the study
4. Both partners are fluent readers of the English language and
5. One or both members of the couple are currently in treatment or recovery services for substance use-related issues.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe domestic violence: We will utilize exclusion criteria for domestic violence that we have used for the last seven years of OurRelationship services with low-income and military couples. These criteria were developed in consultation with CEO of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and several members of the Domestic Violence Hotline. Through these conversations, we concluded it would be appropriate if couples were excluded from OurRelationship services if either person reports in the past 6 months that their partner: 1) Choked me 2) Repeatedly punched me during a fight or beat me up 3) Threatened me with (or used) a gun or knife, or 4) Physically forced me to have sex when I didn't want to. Finally, couples will be excluded if either person reports in the past 6 months that: 5) he/she was "quite afraid", "very afraid", or "extremely afraid" that their partners would physically hurt them during an argument.
2. Inadequate internet connection. To ensure that the program can function properly, participants will be required to have access to high-speed internet in their homes or on their smartphones (with regular wireless/hotspot or a minimum 4G cellular connection).
3. Have already decided to end the relationship. Because the tested programs are designed to help couples improve their relationships (rather than deal with a separation or divorce), couples will be excluded if either partner endorses that they "will probably end my relationship even if it does get better" or that they "have already made the decision to end my relationship."

Where it's running

• Innovia Behavioral Health
  Marietta, Georgia, United States Recruiting
• Voices of Hope Maryland
  Elkton, Maryland, United States Recruiting
• Commonly Well
  Potsdam, New York, United States Recruiting
• The Courage Center
  Lexington, South Carolina, United States Recruiting
• Youturn Health
  Coppell, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Brock Sansbury, MBA — OurRelationship LLC
• Study coordinator: Brock Sansbury, MBA
• Email: brock@ourrelationship.com
• Phone: 803-445-5457

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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  Recruiting Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine · Bethesda, Maryland · NCT07096271

• Comparing brief psychoanalytic and emotionally focused couple therapies for relationship distress

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.