Substance consumption disorder (Sud) traces an expensive and dangerous public health challenge that annually affects about 48 million people in the United States. The high relapse rates, typically of 40-60%, lead me to believe that we are not winning the war against medicines using traditional treatment methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (TCC) for those looking for a long-term recovery.
The reality is that Sud (also called addiction) is a complicated disease based on biological, psychological and sociological factors that request a personalized treatment approach. I think this approach should include the integration of innovative digital solutions to help people where they are on their recovery trip. Technology has the power to revolutionize the treatment, make it more widely available, provide an additional vision of the patient and, ultimately, relieve tension in our already stressed health system.
Digital solutions promoted by the community for substance consumption disorder
The days of a unique approach to treatment have ended. We are accustomed to standardized treatment with little direct approach to individual problems, and does not work. We can continually provide the same treatment flow chart and expect different results. Our scope for TCC as the “gold standard” or attention has become memory, harming the Sud industry. We need more tools in our respective toolbox.
We must develop new community -based digital solutions that are accessible and capable of addressing each person’s unique problems. This is the way to improve and improve treatment results. We need to:
- Focus on social determinants of health (SDOH)- See Sud through a collaborative lens and focus on SDOH problems that have barriers to attention.
- Drive patient’s commitment – Suppliers have a limited vision of the lives of their patients. By offering 24/7 access to recovery tools, psychoeducational materials and support, we ensure continuous commitment regardless of time or location. When reflexive lessons are used, suppliers obtain a broader vision of patient’s life/
- Reduce medical care costs – Given the high cost and high use of services for people with Sud, the implementation of profitable strategies benefits all. When prioritizing preventive care and virtual options, we direct people far from inappropriately using services such as the dependency of general groups.
Putting into practice thesis strategies translates into:
- Scalable digital platforms They are easy for replication and provide content at the request, which supports a personalized approach to an individual experience.
- All health models That take into account physical and mental health together with SDOH under an umbrella with frequent multidisciplinary communication.
- Comprehensive content That is support and educational, while providing resources that are not judged that extend beyond Sud to cover life skills, nutritional needs, relationships, sleep, exercise and other content of recovery and prevention of relapses.
- Support networks Who use peer recovery specialists, attention coordinators and community partners to sacrifice localized assistance when necessary.
Digital solutions that improve attention
Technology has already revolutionized most aspects of modern life, and medical care is no exception. Where would we be without access to “Mychart”, immediate test results and data loaded to our real -time phones? These tools have gone from complementing the essential.
When designed with intention, purpose and clinical experience, digital solutions can extend access to attention, customize support and incorporate evidence -based innovative practices such as solution -centered therapy and contingency management in the daily life of those who work towards recovery.
Solution centered therapy
Solution -centered therapy (SFT) is based on the principles of positive psychology. It is a short -term approach oriented to objectives that emphasizes positive solutions and results. In practice, it may seem:
- Check-in daily or weekly on progress towards goals
- Content developed by clinicians that encourages positive thinking.
- Newspaper that reinforces self -efficacy and celebrates small victories
By focusing recovery on solutions instead of problems, people are more likely to remain motivated and committed to their care.
Contingency management
If the term contingency management sounds familiar, it is likely to know the concept of your own life. You may receive an assignment to make your bed every morning or give yourself a whim after a large working meeting. Contingency management is a therapeutic approach that uses incentives to promote positive behavior.
Contingency management is particularly effective in the treatment of substance use disorder and is supported by decades of research. It is underutilized due to automation problems, but in doing so digital through an application or web -based platform, you can eliminate that problem and make patients trust patients.
The aspect of convenience drives the commitment, and the rewards increase the commitment, which makes the adherence to the treatment more likely.
Therapeutic lessons on request
Knowledge is power. Having access to psychoeducation at request helps people understand addiction elements that affect them while equipping them with strategies to handle triggers, cravings and emotions. These personalized education nuggets the size of a bite are culturally relevant and do not judge, which offer individual choice. In addition, we can use contingency management and gamified interactions to reinforce commitment and adhesion.
Beyond treatment: design with people in mind
Technology is an attached “recovery partner” who can support and foster change while helping people navigate the setbacks. It is a dynamic form of care that evolves with the individual. Mitigate the problems of stigma, transport and time of the supplier while driving a reduction in the medical care costs associated with Ergent care visits for the Sud population.
The future of sud treatment is in dynamic approaches, centered on the patient and improved by technology. As our understanding of Sud evolves, our treatment options must also. The integration of these strategies into intuitive and accessible platforms can remodel the recovery panorama, making attention more effective, compassionate and scalable than ever.
Photo: Sorbetto, Getty Images
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