Using Aromatherapy in Substance Use Disorder

Statement of purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of an aromaticintervention using bergamot essential oil on comfort, ease, and stress in adults in a SUDrecovery programResearch Question: What are differences in comfort, ease, and stress for persons in asubstance use disorder program who receive aromatic intervention and for those who donot?Conceptual framework: An integrated theoretical framework combining the theory of comfort(Kolcaba, 2003) and the concept of welcoming ease (Reven, 2022) will be used astheoretical guidance for this study.Aims and Objectives: Specific Aim #1: Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of anaromatherapy intervention by examining recruitment, enrollment and retention rates,intervention fidelity, and cost analysis. Specific Aim #2: Pilot test bergamot essentialoil intervention with adults in a substance use disorder recovery program.Background: Appalachia is at the epicenter of the opioid addiction crisis with hardly afamily left untouched by the devastating consequences. Those who make it to recoveryprograms are often plagued by anxiety and depression. Those in treatment have identifiedincreasing the level of comfort during substance use recovery as vital. Integratingaromatherapy could help improve perception of comfort and reduce stress thus enhancingrecovery program progression.Methods: The study uses a parallel‐randomized control group comparison design. Data willbe collected from participants daily and post intervention. For Aim #1, descriptive andbivariate analysis will be conducted. Statistical assumptions will be tested. Sampledemographics will be reported. For Aim #2, descriptive statistics will be used as well asparticipant recruitment, enrollment, and retention rates. Reasons for non‐participationand attrition will be recorded. Percentage of intervention consistency will be calculatedand cost of the intervention will be determined.Timeline: The proposed study would begin as soon as grant funding is available withprojected timeline being August 2022 to December 2023.