We Asked Our Cases Over a Million Questions – Some of the Answers Were Unexpected
MAP Live Data™ has come a long way since its inception more than 3 years ago. MAP has moved well into six figures in the number of interview sessions completed.
MAP’s data scientists and clinical researchers have begun to examine the data and the results have been striking. The analysis of addicts in early recovery has produced very interesting and sometimes counter-intuitive results. For a sample of some of these results, read further.
One of the research projects that has been undertaken is a study of survival statistics – comparing the answers to specific questions to the probability of relapse in the population over time. Some answers to questions, such as “Do you use nicotine?” did not appear to have any significant difference in relapse rates over time, but other questions such as “Has your nicotine consumption changed recently?” showed a significant relationship with relapse rates over time. Recovering addicts who reported changes in nicotine consumption – whether it was less or more – had a higher probability of relapse over time than addicts who reported no change in their nicotine use.
Sponsoring dramatically improves an addicts chances of staying sober
Some of the results were what would be expected. People who begin sponsoring are 33% less likely to relapse than those who aren’t sponsoring at 6 months of sobriety, 50% less likely at 9 months and 64% less likely at 1 year. This is exactly the expected result, based on traditional, anecdotal wisdom. Sponsoring others strengthens your own sobriety!
With other data, the results were not entirely expected. For example, when asked “Are you having physical pain?” the results were surprising. Conventionally, many would expect someone who is experiencing physical pain to be at greater risk of relapse, but the data shows no correlation between reporting physical pain and relapse over time!
Physical pain did not seem to increase the chances of relapse
Having the data to both substantiate conventional wisdom and to raise questions about those beliefs is vital to improving outcomes in the addiction treatment field. Ultimately, improving outcomes equates to saving the lives of addicts and alcoholics. MAP is committed to continuing the development of its data collection methods through improved software, more specifically targeted questions and collaborating with expert researchers, clinicians and insurance companies. If you would like more information about MAP Live Data, we will be happy to meet with you and show you how MAP Live Data can help improve outcomes for your program and the lives of your alumni.
The graphs above were produced from the entire set of survey data provided by each individual throughout their time on MAP. The data points on the graph do not necessarily reflect the experience of an individual. Rather, they reflect the statistical probability of sobriety for any given point in time.
