Traci Sweet , 2025-04-25 13:10:00
Substance use disorder (SUD) remains a costly and dangerous public health challenge that affects over 48 million people in the US annually. High relapse rates, typically 40-60%, lead me to believe that we are not winning the war against drugs using traditional treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for those who seek long-term recovery.
The reality is that SUD (also referred to as addiction) is a complicated disease based on biological, psychological, and sociological factors that requires a customized treatment approach. I believe this approach must include integrating innovative digital solutions to help meet people where they are in their recovery journey. Technology has the power to revolutionize treatment, make it more widely available, provide additional patient insight, and ultimately, alleviate the strain on our already stressed healthcare system.
Community-driven digital solutions for substance use disorder
The days of a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment are over. We’re used to standardized treatment with little direct focus on individual issues, and it’s not working. We can’t continue to provide the same flow chart of treatment and expect different results. Our reach for CBT as the “gold standard” of care has become rote, hurting the SUD industry. We need more tools in our respective toolbox.
We must develop new community-based digital solutions that are accessible and capable of addressing each person’s unique issues. This is the way to enhance and improve treatment outcomes. We need to:
- Focus on the social determinants of health (SDOH)- View SUD through a collaborative lens and focus on SDOH issues that present barriers to care.
- Drive patient engagement – Providers have a limited view into the lives of their patients. By offering 24/7 access to recovery tools, psychoeducational materials, and support, we ensure continuous engagement regardless of time or location. When reflective lessons are used, providers gain a wider view into patient lives/
- Reduce healthcare costs – Given the high cost and high utilization of services for people with SUD, implementing cost-effective strategies benefits everyone. By prioritizing preventative care and virtual options, we direct people away from inappropriately using services like ER reliance for general concerns.
Putting these strategies into practice translates to:
- Scalable digital platforms that are easily replicated and provide content on demand, supporting a tailored approach to an individual experience.
- Whole-health models that take into account physical and mental health alongside SDOH under one umbrella with frequent multidisciplinary communication.
- Comprehensive content that is supportive and educational, while providing non-judgmental resources that extend beyond SUD to encompass life skills, nutritional needs, relationships, sleep, exercise, and other recovery and relapse prevention content.
- Support networks that utilize peer recovery specialists, care coordinators, and community based partners to offer localized assistance when needed.
Digital solutions that improve care delivery
Technology has already revolutionized most aspects of modern life, with healthcare being no exception. Where would we be without access to “MyChart,” immediate on-demand test results, and data uploaded to our phones in real time? These tools have gone from supplemental to essential.
When designed with intention, purpose, and clinical expertise, digital solutions can extend access to care, personalize support, and embed innovative evidence-based practices like Solution-Focused Therapy and Contingency Management into the daily lives of those working towards recovery.
Solution-focused therapy
Solution-focused therapy (SFT) is based on the principles of Positive Psychology. It’s a short-term, goal-oriented approach that emphasizes solutions and positive outcomes. In practice, it can look like:
- Daily or weekly check-ins on progress towards goals
- Clinician-developed content that encourages positive thinking.
- Journaling that reinforces self-efficacy and celebrates small wins
By centering recovery on solutions rather than problems, people are more likely to stay motivated and engaged in their care.
Contingency management
If the term contingency management doesn’t sound familiar, you likely know the concept from your own life. Maybe you got an allowance for making your bed every morning or you treat yourself after a big work meeting. Contingency management is a therapeutic approach that uses incentives to encourage positive behaviors.
Contingency management is particularly effective in substance use disorder treatment and is backed by decades of research. It’s often underutilized due to automation issues but by making it digital via an app or web-based platform, you can eliminate that issue and make it immediate and easy for patients to rely on.
The convenience aspect drives engagement, and the rewards increase engagement, thus making treatment adherence more likely.
On-demand therapeutic lessons
Knowledge is power. Having access to on-demand psychoeducation helps individuals understand elements of addiction that affect them while equipping them with strategies to manage triggers, cravings, and emotions. These bite-sized nuggets of personalized education are culturally relevant and non-judgmental, offering individual choice. Plus, we can use contingency management and gamified interactions to reinforce engagement and adherence.
Beyond treatment: designing with people in mind
Technology is an adjunctive “recovery companion” that can support and encourage change while helping people navigate setbacks. It’s a dynamic form of care that evolves with the individual. It mitigates issues of stigma, transportation, and provider time while driving a reduction in healthcare costs associated with ER/urgent care visits for the SUD population.
The future of SUD treatment lies in dynamic, patient-centered, and technology-enhanced approaches. As our understanding of SUD evolves, so too must our treatment options. Integrating these strategies into intuitive, accessible platforms can reshape the recovery landscape, making care more effective, compassionate, and scalable than ever before.
Photo: sorbetto, Getty Images
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