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Smartphone Applications Can Help Keep Alcoholism at Bay - Study
Treatment of alcoholism needs continued care and a shortage of resources can create hindrances in the
way to recovery. Over the past two decades, healthcare systems across the world have been inundated
with innovative treatment procedures delivered through the internet. Linking smartphone applications to
alcohol treatment is a new approach in this area. A study published in the JAMA Psychiatry in 2015 has
acknowledged the use of smartphone applications as a new treatment approach for alcoholism.
Though very few studies support the findings, treating alcoholism with the help of smartphone
applications can be a giant leap in the field of alcoholism treatment.
The study, titled “A
smartphone application
to support recovery from
alcoholism: a randomized
clinical trial,” aims to
ascertain “whether
patients leaving
residential treatment for
alcohol use disorders
(AUDs) with a smartphone
application to support
recovery have fewer risky
drinking days than
control-group patients.”
The smartphone
application was
essentially designed to
keep a tab on alcoholics
who have been discharged from residential treatment centers following a methodical treatment.
Smartphone apps reduce risky drinking days
The research was an un-blinded, randomized, controlled trial in which the participants were given a
smartphone with an application called Addiction – Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System
(A-CHESS).
As part of the study, the researchers examined 349 patients who met the criteria for DSM-IV (Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition) alcohol dependence when they entered the
residential treatment facility. Of the total participants, 170 were designated as the treatment group who
were given smartphones with the app and the remaining 179 were part of the control group who were
given a standard care, but not the app. The purpose of the A-CHESS application was to provide monitoring,
information, communication, and support services to patients to help them connected with their
counselors.
The patients were given conventional treatment before being discharged from the residential treatment
centers. The researchers followed the patients initially for eight months and then followed them again for
another four months.
The patients were then asked to report their respective risky drinking habits on the fourth, eighth and
12th month after their discharge from the residential treatment. According to the researchers, risky
drinking habit for men comprised more than four drinks within a span of two hours, and for women it
included three drinks during the same time period.
Alcoholism treatment needs continued care which can help prevent relapses
After completion of the intervention period, the group of patients having the app reported significantly
fewer risky drinking days than patients in the control group. This showed that being in touch with the
counselors and making use of the support services after being discharged from residential treatment
centers greatly helped the patients to keep a check on their drinking habit, and eventually recover from
the malaise.
The study demonstrated that alcoholism treatment needs a continued care which can help prevent
relapses and also ensures that sobriety is usually a long-term process. Support from family, friends and
support groups can go a long way in helping an individual to completely recover from alcoholism. The
aftercare programs are also equally important as they can thwart any cravings and temptations to drink
again.
The Florida alcohol addiction treatment ranks among the best in the country and the alcohol
rehabilitation centers in Florida provide the latest evidence-based treatment with ultra-modern facilities.
If a loved one is battling alcoholism, call the Florida Alcohol Addiction Helpline at 866-220-5381 for
immediate assistance. Our members who are available 24/7 can guide you to the best alcohol
rehabilitation centers in Florida.
For more information please visit
www.floridaalcoholaddictionhelpline.com