Testing mediational processes of substance use relapse among youth who participated in a mobile texting aftercare project.

Background: The goal of this paper is to advance the understanding of mechanisms of action involved in behavioral-driven aftercare interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs) among youth populations. This paper reports data from a study that measured the impact of an aftercare intervention on primary substance use relapse among youth who completed treatment in Los Angeles County for SUDs. The aftercare intervention, Project ESQYIR-, utilized text messaging to monitor relapse and recovery processes, provide feedback, reminders, support, and education among youth from SUD specialty settings during the initial 3-month period following treatment completion.