Resources for Recovery Research (R3)

The Studies to Advance Recovery Support (STARS) Network is committed to advancing the understanding of recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) through rigorous research and community education. Members of the STARS team have created this library of videos to help members grow their understanding of the field of recovery research.

The videos are organized within the following categories:

Context for Recovery Research

UnderStanding Addiction

by Bill Brooks, DrPH, MPH, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, ETSU College of Public Health

This video covers the epidemiology and history of substance use in the US, the disease model of addiction, diagnosis, and assessment of addiction, characteristics of addiction and co-occurring disorders, and addiction surveillance and intervention. This video aims to provide general education on addiction as a disease and how we work to understand it and intervene to prevent its consequences.

 

REcovery Perceptions

by Elizabeth Childress, QMHP, RPRS, CPRS VA/PRSS TN, ETSU Addiction Science Center

In this video, a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist offers a unique perspective on addiction, recovery, and the impact of stigma. Viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the recovery process, as well as the four dimensions of recovery outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and their guiding principles.

 

Recovery Pathways

by Elizabeth Childress, QMHP, RPRS, CPRS VA/PRSS TN, ETSU Addiction Science Center

This video provides an overview of the many pathways to recovery from addiction, including clinical and non-clinical approaches, various levels of clinical care, pharmacotherapy, holistic methods, and self-management.

Recovery Measurement and Research Priorities

Recovery Measurement, Models, and Frameworks Part 1

by Rob Pack, PhD, MPH, Director of the ETSU Addiction Science Center, ETSU College of Public Health

This video provides an overview of measurement and models for recovery research. It is an introduction to the topic to be followed by a more in-depth discussion of measurement tools.


 

Recovery Measurement, Models, and Frameworks Part 2

by Rob Pack, PhD, MPH, Director of the ETSU Addiction Science Center, ETSU College of Public Health

This video provides more details on how to measure addiction recovery.

 

Recovery Research Priority Setting

by Rob Pack, PhD, MPH, Director of the ETSU Addiction Science Center, ETSU College of Public Health

This video provides an overview of who is setting recovery research priorities and how they are being set. Dr. Pack will walk you through several websites and documents that serve as guideposts for the field and discuss some of the contexts in which the priorities have been developed.

Conducting Recovery Research

Accessing and Engaging Hidden Populations in Research

by Bill Brooks, DrPH, MPH, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, ETSU College of Public Health

In this video we define what a hidden population is and discuss the challenges associated with conducting research with those populations. Specifically, we discuss the need for building trust within the community and for reliance on non-traditional research methods.

 

Study design & critical appraisal

by Alex Hanlon, PhD, Director of the Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Department of Statistics, College of Science, Virginia Tech

This video begins by providing an overview of research study designs, levels of evidence, introductory biostatistics, and critical appraisal. Next, the methodological challenges of studying substance use disorder are discussed alongside the need for rigorous study designs.

 

Qualitative Research Methods

by Trena M. Paulus, PhD, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, ETSU

This video introduces the basics of sound qualitative research design in the context of recovery research. Topics include the purpose and goals of qualitative methods, epistemological foundations, writing good research questions, the role of researcher reflexivity, how to achieve methodological alignment, and common sources of data and approaches to analysis. Validation strategies for ensuring trustworthiness are also discussed.

 

Quantitative Methods in Addiction and Recovery Research

by Bill Brooks, DrPH, MPH, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, ETSU College of Public Health

This video starts by outlining quantitative and statistical methods, then moves into a discussion of how to generate a good research question in the context of public health research. We then define the hypothesis as a general concept and review the strengths and limitations of secondary and primary data in research. Finally, we discuss the general types of data and how that dictates the types of statistical tests that are conducted to analyze the data.

 

Mixed Methods in Addiction and Recovery Research

by Bill Brooks, DrPH, MPH, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, ETSU College of Public Health

This video compares and contrasts quantitative and qualitative research methods, outlining their defining characteristics and usage. After clearly defining quantitative and qualitative methods, we define common mixed methods approaches and provide examples of their application.

 

The Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) & Choosing a Statistical Test

by Alicia Lozano, MS, Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Department of Statistics, College of Science, Virginia Tech

This video provides a roadmap from formulating a research question, to data analysis and publication and dissemination of findings. The main elements of a SAP are discussed, as well as approaches for selecting the most appropriate statistical test to answer the research questions of interest.

Presenting & applying research findings

Effective Presentations

by Alicia Arneson, MS, Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Department of Statistics, College of Science, Virginia Tech

This video provides information on effectively presenting complex topics to a variety of audiences using the Analogy, Diagram, Example, Plain English, Technical Definition (ADEPT) Framework.

 

The Collective Impact Model

by Kimberly Horn, EdD, Research Scientist, Institute for Policy and Governance, Virginia Tech

In this video, we will explore how collaborative efforts can transform the landscape of substance use disorder recovery, and how communities, organizations, and individuals can work together to create meaningful change. We will also explore how aligning resources, strategies, and goals can enhance support systems, improve recovery outcomes, and foster a more resilient network of care.