What question did this study set out to answer?

The review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different recovery interventions for substance use disorders.

February 5, 2026Open Access

The effectiveness of clinical, community based and peer led recovery interventions compared to usual care on addiction recovery: a protocol for a systematic review

DRDawn Russell JIJo-Hanna IversTrinity College GPGillian Paul

Key Points

The review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different recovery interventions for substance use disorders.
Includes quantitative studies from 1999 onwards.
Searches multiple databases to identify relevant reviews.
Prioritizes highest quality study designs using Joanne Briggs Institute Levels of Evidence.
Focuses on experimental designs, including randomised control trials.
Assesses risk of bias with specific tools.
Aims to identify interventions producing positive outcomes related to abstinence and recovery capital.
Will highlight any interventions resulting in adverse effects.
Findings aim to inform recommendations for enhancing the Irish treatment system.

Abstract

Background Although Ireland’s substance use disorder treatment system operates a range of evidence based interventions, there is a significant gap in the operationalisation of evidence based interventions specifically aimed at producing addiction recovery outcomes. Consequentially, Ireland does not produce reliable recovery outcome or prevalence data. Internationally, there is a gap in systematic reviews which analyse the efficacy of a broad range of commonly implemented recovery interventions. This systematic review of internationally recognised recovery interventions is being undertaken to provide a comprehensive summary of the effectiveness of the commonly applied recovery interventions across the globe. Methods This review will include quantitative studies from 1999 onwards. To identify relevant reviews, the following databases will be searched: MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, ProQuest Dissertations randomised control trials and pseudo-randomised control trials. Risk of bias will be assessed using Joanne Briggs Institute risk of bias tools. The review will be reported following both Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results This review aims to identify which substance use disorder treatment interventions have been found to produce outcomes in relation to abstinence and recovery capital. The review will identify which, if any, have been found to result in adverse effects. Findings will inform recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the Irish substance use disorder treatment system in producing recovery outcomes. Conclusions The results will provide valuable insights for policy makers and practitioners who are tasked with designing and implementing substance use disorder treatment services.

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