There’s not been a one size fits all approach to addiction treatment for quite some time, but one thing is for sure, it’s continued to develop and become more tailored to patients as technology continues to enhance.
Visit any alcohol treatment centre today and tech is driving processes and strategies, aiding patients and boosting their chances of seeing through treatment successfully and remaining in recovery.
That’s going to continue to be the case, but how exactly has technology changed and improved addiction treatment in more recent years?
Telehealth and Virtual Counselling
A big part of that has come from the accessibility of counselling. As the world welcomed Zoom with open arms during the pandemic, virtual counselling and telehealth services have also become more popular, allowing people to get access to the help they need anytime, anywhere.
Perhaps more valuably, from the comfort of their own home, which can put people at ease and make therapy sessions more productive, open and honest.
It’s making therapy far more flexible and accessible for patients, and that’s only a good thing.
Mobile Apps to support and monitor patients
Apps are proving to be a real gamechanger and we’ve certainly not seen the end of apps and their progression when it comes to addiction treatment. They allow people to track their recovery from the palm of their hands.
Things such as sobriety apps, meditation apps and social media and support solutions can be brilliant, allowing users to get help when they’re stressed to calm, as well as gaining motivation from ticking off another day of sobriety. They’re just small things, but can have a big impact on mood and motivation to stay on track.
AI quickly predicting and spotting trends
Artificial intelligence is changing so many industries and the way it’s being used in addiction treatment is to help identify patterns and trends quickly and effectively in a patient’s treatment and recovery.
What the technology can do is identify the factors that could lead to relapse, what causes stress and then adjust plans to reflect that. It’s a data driven approach that can significantly increase the chances of a successful recovery.
Smart Wearables to monitor patients in real time
Monitoring a patient’s heart rate, stress levels and sleeping patterns can be done simply through smartwatches these days. This helps give a comprehensive view of a person’s wellbeing, allowing professionals to see the impact of treatment, as well as patient’s being able to recognise when they may be struggling and utilise techniques learned in rehab accordingly.
More support through online communities
For all social media’s pitfalls, support available through online communities is hugely valuable to millions of people. It removes any geographical barriers from support networks, with people able to connect around the world.
The likes of Facebook and Twitter are good for this, while online forums are even more so, providing a safe space to express your concerns, as well as offering support and understanding to others. At difficult moments, it can be a vital lifeline.
Of course, technology is going to continue to enhance and change the face of addiction treatment and over the next decade, especially as AI gets more intelligent, it’s going to be huge in ensuring more people than ever before enter recovery successfully.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
