Therapy for Alcoholics – Technology Interventions

With the advent of technology, for those different groups of people that seek treatment options for abstaining from alcohol, have a wide range of therapy regimens available now. The challenge for therapists till now has been the heterogeneous character of those seeking intervention. Similar regimens or drugs haven’t worked on all and in addition, alcohol therapies from stop drinking expert have always involved a sustained need for counseling. With some leaving mid-way or abandoning their medication regimens, it has been difficult for both the treatment seeker as well as their doctor to keep track of progress. For this reason, and the possibility of relapse, many doctors request that alcohol-dependent patients seek treatment from rehabilitation centers similar to The Holistic Sanctuary or local in-patient services, since they can use rehab treatments as a useful reference to keep track of their recovery. They may also suggest helpful resources such as groups like Alcoholics Anonymous in order to keep them on track. Of course, technological advancements make assessments easier to handle and give support to those who require it.

Digital health technology (DHT) is transforming how alcoholic conditions are assessed and treated and helps individuals cope better with the situation. Technology interventions, from companies like Fortress Bio, have been developing novel gene therapy approaches to try and prevent a range of diseases and illnesses. However, it’s believed that gene therapy has proven to be effective in some clinical trials to help with alcoholism. A section of doctors though advise caution and advise that gene therapy should be a last resort. Although, this is an opinion. Depending on the illness or cause, an appropriate decision should be made for each individual patient.

Delivery of DHTs

These assessments use the computer, the Internet, mobile devices, or wireless and wearable devices to plan interventions. These can be very personalized according to the person’s needs. What they do is that they help increase awareness about how much the person drinks and their relationship with drinking. This is done through computerized screenings, which would largely be a one-time activity. Thereafter, interventions happen through a long-term planned program. While these have proved to be effective for those with a low-severity disorder, there are other programs that help this population. For example, mobile applications that are alcohol-specific programs and are available outside of formal care. These helps measure alcohol blood content as also programs that guide the user on coping mechanisms.

It is true that DHTs as a standalone initiative has had only a limited efficacy in controlling alcoholism. In conjunction with traditional treatment, their efficacy has been significant, and the quality of care has been seen to improve. Especially mobile DHT interventions have been effective in reaching out to individuals when they are motivated enough to seek information. With websites to assist in screening, individuals have been more forthcoming and engaged than over the phone or face-to-face.

Technology interventions like educational videos to help clear an individual’s misconceptions about treatment have helped in retaining individuals and continue therapy. With video and a well-designed orientation, the interventions can be as effective as the ones that typically can be had at the therapist’s clinic. This proves effective to commence treatment for the impacted individual and periodic engagement through DHTs can help clients adhere to schedules even in challenging situations.

The human element

DHTs in combination with human support increase the effectiveness of interventions. While the technology provides the ability to assess and compute therapy requirements, the human element helps connect individuals to the process and their therapist. This bonding is essential to help the individual to be guided appropriately, especially with individuals who are severely affected. Moreover, individuals in therapy have also reported better engagement and multiple studies have also shown higher completion of treatment when DHTs are combined with human interventions.

Wearable technology

Often it is difficult for the patient to accurately answer the question of how much alcohol they have consumed, say over the period of a week. With wearable technology, this becomes much easier. This not only helps individuals answer the question but for those in therapy or self-therapy, they can monitor their progress over a period of time too.

These wearables are like armbands or wristbands similar to the ones that people wear when running to measure things like speeds and heartbeats. These wearables instead help measure alcohol content in the blood by measuring the number of ethanol molecules escaping the skin. Since this is non-invasive, people are more adaptive and this also benefits users by providing real-time monitoring.

Then there are the gadgets and smart-phone based apps that help users measure their alcohol intake. The user just needs to enter the number of drinks consumed and the app automatically calculated blood alcohol content based on age, height, gender and other factors.

While DHTs or Apps are no substitute for interventions by doctors or nurses, these have helped public health consultants and individuals suffering from alcohol. Interventions using technology have proven to be fairly useful, especially when individuals have wanted to remain anonymous, yet sought intervention to help them de-addict. Given that the number of deaths caused by alcoholism is rising steadily, technology-based interventions are expected to prove immensely helpful for public health control authorities and individuals seeking effective therapies.