Addiction Recovery: How Technology Can Help

How Technology Can Help in Addiction Recovery

Telemedicine 

While telemedicine existed in the past, the COVID-19 pandemic made it even more popular and accessible.

Those in addiction recovery can get in touch with counselors and other addiction specialists no matter where they are.

Whether it’s an emergency that needs to be handled immediately or a case where patients cannot commute to treatment centers, telemedicine aids addiction recovery by providing face-to-face interactions despite physical distance. 

Virtual Reality 

There are various uses for virtual reality.

One of the more recent uses is helping addicts identify triggers and learn coping mechanisms.

Since virtual reality immerses individuals in worlds, those with substance use disorder can be placed in triggering situations without facing these situations and risking their sobriety.

The controlled environment safeguards sobriety while exposing triggers and helping individuals develop effective strategies to combat their urges.

Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an essential part of addiction recovery and helps those suffering from substance use disorders understand, identify, and change their thinking patterns.

While many such programs are available, the most renowned one is reSET, a 90-day FDA-approved Prescription Digital Therapeutic (PDT).

The online program provides CBT to patients and includes provider-patient feedback data loops and 24/7 access to resources. 

Apps

Everyone has heard the expression, “There’s an app for everything.”

This is also true for addiction recovery. Mobile apps are used for tracking progress, managing SUDs, and tracking triggers and cravings.

Popular addiction recovery apps include sobriety calculators, meeting finders, trigger trackers, etc.

Therapeutic Education System (TES)

The Therapeutic Education System (TES) is a web-based interactive education program that helps those suffering from substance use disorder develop skills and interventions.

It includes 65 multimedia modules and teaches skills that improve psychosocial functioning (managing negative emotions and social and family relations) and cognitive behavioral skills (managing harmful thoughts, reducing risk behavior). 

Since it’s self-directed, patients can learn at their own place and benefit from individual treatment plans.

The program is especially helpful since it adjusts the pace and repetition to match the user, assesses understanding of the skills, and even includes interactive videos. 

Summary

Technology can be a valuable asset in aiding recovery when it comes to addiction.

However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the treatments are not meant to replace professional substance abuse treatment – they’re supplements to a facility that uses evidence-based treatments. 

Pathways Recovery Centers is one such facility. We have various treatment programs, including residential treatment, outpatient treatment, 24/7 medically monitored detoxification, and private sobriety coaching.

Call us at 1-888-744-6597 or reach out to us here to begin your addiction recovery journey.