Telephone enhancement of long-term engagement (TELE) in continuing care for substance abuse treatment: a NIDA clinical trials network (CTN) study.

The TELE study examined the feasibility and potential efficacy of phone calls to patients after discharge from short- term inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment programs to encourage compliance with continuing care plans. After review of their continuing care plans, 339 patients from four programs were randomized either to receive calls or to have no planned contact. Ninety-two percent of patients randomized to receive calls received at least one call.