There are different forms of technology that are enabling effective and more flexible addiction treatment. Some of these forms of technology include mobile phones and the internet.
Each of the mentioned types of technology has played a key role in the recovery of people battling drug addiction. Technology has ensured that new behavioral healthcare models are available. In this context, we will mainly look into the technology-based tools that are playing a key role in ensuring that drug addiction treatment is more effective and flexible.
The Relation Between Effective Addiction Treatment and Technology
Technology such as mobile phones and the internet have played a major role when it comes to ensuring that people battling drug addiction can recover fast. Some technology-based assessments help to ensure that the self-reports issued by the patients seeking addiction treatment are accurate.
The technology-based assessment ensures that the data of a patient seeking addiction treatment can be obtained in real-time through the mobile devices that are capable of accessing the internet. Such assessments are flexible as compared to the manner in which data is collected traditionally in some of the healthcare facilities. The main issue is the traditional data collection techniques are limiting to some extent.
Some of the technology-based interventions include prevention interventions, and they have proven to be effective when it comes to addiction treatment. Some of these tools help to ensure that patients have access to evidence-based interventions. As long as a patient has a mobile phone and access to the internet, they can easily get ahold of some of these materials online.
The technology-based tools can be built such that they will ensure there is anonymity. Also, the results of the addiction treatment should be pleasing. It is also good to note that some of these tools ensure that addiction treatment is cost-effective. The only underlying issue is that the initial set up may cost a significant amount of money due to the cost of maintenance and hosting.
Geographical boundaries cannot limit the technology-based tools that are meant for addiction treatment. The tools should ensure there is on-demand access for patients who may need therapeutic support. Also, these tools can ensure that people battling drug addiction can be linked to different services within their community.
In the U.S., the number of people who have access to the internet has grown drastically. People residing in both rural and urban settings have access to the internet. Also, low-income individuals who are battling substance addiction have access to the internet, and that means that they can gain significantly from the technology-based tools that are being offered at the moment.
Some research has been carried out, and the technology-based interventions focusing on addiction treatment should be developed in a manner that is evidence-based depending on different behavioral principles. The tools can then be used in accordance with different flexible models that are focused on delivering behavioral healthcare. Some traditional models may also be incorporated.
The best example to use in a clinician-extender model; this model ensures the clinicians can offer additional resources to the clients that are battling substance addiction. Such professionals can support their clients by ensuring they can contact them directly when making inquiries.
Such a framework will ensure that the clinicians can easily supplement the work they are doing, which may include combined behavioral treatment or pharmacological treatment. The technology-based tools also come in handy such that the clinicians can offer professional help to the clients without having to set up a physical meeting. Also, the professionals will have more time such that they can easily offer their services to numerous patients within a limited period.
Some of these tools can be presented as stand-alone interventions, and they may be relevant in rural settings since they may be limited access to addiction treatment services. In short, the technology-based interventions will ensure that people who could not access traditional care models can have access to effective addiction treatment services. Such tools have also proven to be effective; these tools ensure that people can have a leading role in ensuring they can take care of themselves with regard to addiction treatment.
Final Thoughts
The technology-based tools that are meant to address addiction treatment have proven to be important in the U.S. healthcare system. The technology can be integrated into patient medical homes with regard to ensuring that people have ease of access to physical and mental healthcare. With that said, the technology-based tools targeting recovery and addiction patients can be optimized such that they will be more effective. Call us today at 844-639-8371.