It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the world, in general, and the US, in particular, is suffering from an addiction crisis. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 50% of people (over 12) have misused illegal substances at least once.

Another shocking statistic is that drug overdose deaths stand at 700,000 since 2000. These numbers are concerning because exposure to such materials has become easier than ever (even for young teens). Plus, it doesn’t take much for a curious one-time try to turn into a full-blown addiction.

The American Addiction Centers states that while thousands are sent to rehab each year, less than 42% complete treatment. This has created a pressing need for addiction centers to adopt high tech for enhanced patient outcomes.

From keeping operations streamlined to allowing patients autonomy over their treatment, next-gen technologies are transforming the substance use healthcare landscape. This article will discuss four digital tech solutions that every addiction center must employ.

All-in-One Practice Management Solutions

Addiction rehabilitation centers often deal with tons of paperwork, including patient reports, documents, and more. If records are not stored and managed securely, sensitive patient information may be lost. Not to mention, bulky records make it challenging to get a streamlined, on-demand view of a patient’s health history.

This is where robust all-in-one substance use treatment software comes in. Through cloud integration, this practice management solution helps optimize processes like billing, patient records, and prescriptions. There is no need to allot tasks to different departments, as all functions can be performed in a single place.

Moreover, Accumedic states that addiction centers can even collaborate with other treatment providers using practice management solutions. The software will share electronic health records associated with a particular patient so all parties are on the same page. Let’s look at the different areas a substance use practice management solution can take care of –

• Easy automation of administrative processes for patient scheduling, medication dispensing, and billing
• Customization of workflows to match organizational strengths in terms of report-sending and form-building
• Cloud storage and easy accessibility to keep patient records safe and streamlined
• Tamper-proof patient record integration to make data accessible only to designated team members
• Patient telehealth sessions through centralized health records

Virtual Reality (VR)

This technology has got to do with tackling complex cases of substance use disorders. It is indeed a breakthrough that gives patients an immersive, 3D experience to help them deal with their triggers. Through a VR headset, patients are transported to a virtual world that replicates real-world scenarios.

They are given real-life, challenging simulations to identify their weak spots and cultivate healthy coping skills. For instance – Indiana University School of Medicine researchers are developing “future self-avatars” for patients to converse with. It is believed that this technology is most suited for early-stage recovery where chances of relapse are higher.

Patients can be given remote health interventions in case they’re unwilling to engage in clinical settings. Cue-exposure therapy (CET) through VR can release scents of smoke (tobacco) or alcohol to create a hyper-realistic scenario for patients.

Here’s a breakdown of how VR interventions can enhance patient outcomes –

• Simulating drug or alcohol cues to test patient reactivity without actually putting them in high-risk environments
• Safe and controlled exposures
• Reduction in unhealthy cravings, for instance, alcohol dependence
• Effective coping skills training through gradual exposure to triggers

Remote Patient Monitoring Systems

This digi health tech is useful during high-risk relapse phases when a patient is no longer in a traditional clinical setting. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) published a study where substance abuse relapse rates ranged between 40% and 60%.

Two pieces of information are vital – relapse rates are high, but they do not point toward failed treatment. Relapse is quite common in addiction recovery, especially when a patient is not surrounded by their support team.

Deeply rooted behaviors take time to change, which also involves practicing resolve and resilience in outside settings. To monitor and help patients maintain their recovery, addiction centers can use remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems.

With the help of wearable tech, healthcare providers receive vital stats that may point towards an urge to relapse –

• Increase in blood pressure
• Weight loss or gain
• Sleep disturbances
• High pulse rate
• Faster heartbeat

Based on the metrics received, doctors can assess a patient’s current situation and adjust treatment plans accordingly. For instance – they may choose to add a new medication to the patient’s regime.

Therapeutic Education System (TES)

Another web-based health tech that is both interactive and self-directed is the Therapeutic Education System. This technology is based on the need for patients to be able to resist triggers and enticing situations.

Computer simulations provide real-world “what if” scenarios that are developed and presented to the patient in a video format. Let’s take an example – a patient with drug addiction may be shown a video where a young woman is offered drugs by her peers.

In the video, the girl may be uncomfortable, declining the requests, but her body language is timid. The system will instruct the patient to pay close attention to the woman’s body language. Then, it may advise them to display convincing body language by looking right in the eye and saying a resolute “No.”

Many similar scenarios can be presented to help patients understand the importance of little things that become stumbling blocks. Since it’s a self-directed approach, patients can learn independently.

Final Thoughts

The above-mentioned technologies promise to improve the overall addiction recovery scenario. Individual outcomes depend upon factors like duration and frequency of drug abuse, social environment, educational background, additional mental health conditions, and criminal behaviors.

SAMHSA, or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, stresses the importance of patient motivation for a lasting change. When the patient directs their treatment, they get the time and understanding needed to reflect on long-term repercussions.

As a result, they may be able to strengthen their resolve to make better choices. After all, the ultimate aim is to ensure a sure change, whether or not the recovery is fast.