New advances in technology are offering more ways for patients and their healthcare providers to work through addiction recovery. Apps, telemedicine and virtual reality provide more ways for patients to receive care and overcome addiction. Given the growing accessibility of technology, it’s likely that we will see these advances used as viable additions to recovery programs in the future.
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1. Addiction Recovery Apps
There is no substitute for residential addiction treatment, but app technology offers a new outlet through which patients can recover, and clinical and medical professionals can provide care during and after treatment. These addiction recovery apps are useful when combined with residential addiction treatment programs.
- Reset is the first medical app approved by the FDA to treat substance use disorders. It’s only available for people over the age of 17 who have a prescription to use the app from a clinician. The app consists of 12 weeks of engaging lessons that guide users through recovery, and it is known to improve treatment outcomes. In a 12-week study of 399 patients, 40.3% of patients who used the app abstained from substance use, compared to 17.6% of patients who did not use the app.(1)
- Nomo is a free sobriety clock that helps users track their days in sobriety and share that information with people supporting their recoveries, such as family, friends or counselors. It also gives users the ability to message an accountability partner if they’re experiencing triggers.
- WEconnect has two different settings: one for those in recovery and one for those supporting someone else’s recovery. WEconnect gives daily reminders to keep users on track with their recovery, providing reminders to contact their sponsor, meditate, go to a meeting or do anything else that’s a part of their recovery plan. It also offers clarity routines, which are daily activities that aid in recovery, like exercising, spending time outside, doing something creative or going to the doctor.
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2. The Rise of Telemedicine in Treating Addiction
Before the Internet was widely accessible, the only way people could recover from addiction was by visiting a treatment center in person. Telemedicine addiction recovery programs make it incredibly easy for patients to receive face-to-face care, even if they live in a rural area or miles away from where they received treatment.
Telemedicine should not be used on its own, but it’s useful in conjunction with treatment. It’s vital for health care providers to continue advocating and caring for patients long after residential treatment is over. Telemedicine allows patients and providers to stay connected through video chat, phone calls, emails, apps and text messaging.
3. Using Virtual Reality to Overcome Addiction
Researchers at the University of Houston are studying virtual reality as a means for patients to overcome addiction by inserting them in tempting situations while in a safe, controlled environment. For example, a patient recovering from alcohol abuse might attend a party where they feel pressure to drink. Through VR, the patient can identify triggers and exercise strategies to overcome them.
To make VR therapy effective, researchers make the VR world as realistic as possible. Researchers have created several scenarios for different drugs, including an office courtyard, a gas station and a pizza party. They’ve even gone as far as using scent machines to recreate smells that are associated with the drug. So far, researchers have been relatively successful in treating cigarette smokers, and they’re working on creating realistic scenarios that address harder substances.
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If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, Guardian Recovery can help. Our team of clinical and medical professionals can help provide a clear path to lifelong sobriety. Recovery is possible. To learn more about our addiction treatment services, contact us at (888) 693-1872.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
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