An online program to strengthen romantic relationships for couples in recovery from substance misuse
OurRelationship-S: A Digital Relationship-Strengthening Program for Couples Experiencing Substance Misuse
This project tests whether a tailored online relationship program can strengthen couples' relationships and improve individual functioning for adults where one or both partners are in recovery from substance misuse.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OurRelationship Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 5 sites (Marietta, Georgia and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07159633 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adult couples (18+) who have been romantically involved for more than six months, where one or both partners are currently in treatment or recovery for substance use, both partners agree to participate, and both are fluent English readers.
Not a fit: Couples with recent severe domestic violence, individuals unwilling or unable to use online tools or take part in coach calls, or those not in treatment/recovery are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could strengthen relationship satisfaction and confidence, reduce negative relationship quality, and improve individual functioning that supports sustained recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Yes — a prior randomized trial of the OurRelationship web program with 300 couples showed moderate to large improvements in relationship satisfaction, confidence, negative relationship quality, and several domains of individual functioning.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Marietta, Georgia and 4 other locations
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.