As technology improves treatment programs are finding better ways to assist people with drug abuse prevention and treatment. The tools being used include computer programs and apps for smart phones and tablets. Technology-based interventions can be utilized to augment or replace traditional treatments.
Technology Improves Traditional Methods
There are many psychosocial behaviors which are effective in treating substance abuse disorders. However, there are many challenges to finding the appropriate resources to deliver them. Traditional methods suffer from inadequate staff training and high turnover as well as time constraints. Technology can improve substance abuse prevention and treatment in a cost-effective manner which increases the reach to new target audiences. This includes the many people with substance abuse problems who are not currently in treatment. Technology won't be able to replace highly trained clinicians, but these clinicians cannot always be available.
The current research has demonstrated that technology-based interventions can be just as effective as science-based interventions, which are delivered by highly trained clinicians. Technology can be used to expand the clinicians' toolbox giving them more resources to use in a wide array of situations with diverse groups of people. Again, they can be used as a standalone solution or to supplement traditional models of treatment.
Technology Expands Coverage
Technology-based interventions also provide the opportunity to make treatment available in areas with limited resources or no accessible drug treatment programs. This could include places like prisons and schools. Patients do not need to rely on access to physical programs or instructors. Technology allows expanded coverage and universal access. With technology, anyone can benefit from drug abuse treatment programs. This is extremely important when you consider how dangerous opioid addiction can be.
Web-Based Programs
One popular web-based program is called the Therapeutic Education System (TES). It is a self-directed interactive intervention for people with substance use problems. TES has been tested as an adjunct to community-based, outpatient substance abuse treatments. It was also tested in prisons and methadone treatment centers. TES provides immediate feedback and requires patients to show a mastery of the information and skills being taught. The program includes interactive video-based computer simulations of real-world experiences. This allows patients to imagine what if type scenarios and wok through different behavioral choices.
Imagine a video-based module devoted to teaching skills on how to refuse drugs. The video shows a young woman telling a group of peers she doesn't want drugs they are offering. The program then identifies that the woman said all of the correct things but did not use convincing body language. Patients then watch the video again and pay more attention to the woman's body language. They are advised to say no while not breaking eye contact.
App Based Programs
Another way that technology-based interventions are being delivered includes mobile devices. Studies have shown that offering a behavioral intervention through a mobile app to clients in methadone clinics in conjunction with standard treatments leads to significantly decreased opioid use. Mobile apps also help patients stay in treatment longer. Patients are able to use the mobile app when they feel the most at risk at any time of day without restrictions. This allows for 24-hour access without needing an actual person to be available.
Drug Abuse Prevention
Technology is also an ideal way to provide multimedia prevention programs to young children and teens. By delivering substance abuse prevention and treatment interventions via technology it is more cost-effective and accessible to reach this age group. There is one computer game focused on elementary school students in grades 3-5 called Head On: Making Good Choices. The game is designed to build up protective factors against drug use and other risky behavior.
The topics include how to establish and maintain healthy relationships, general decision-making skills, and consequences of substance use. The effectiveness of the program has been compared to life skills training courses delivered by real-life educators. Studies have found that children who participate in the Head On program for 15 sessions during a school year have significantly greater knowledge about drug use than other groups. There is another version of the program called Head On: Substance Abuse Prevention which is designed for grades 6-8.
Technology is an excellent way to aid in substance abuse prevention and treatment. As technology improves these methods and programs can improve as well. So far, these programs have been proven to produce very good outcomes. They can work for populations ranging from elementary school children to hard core injection-heroin addicts.