Technology offers a myriad of support for people in recovery — if they know where to look, that is.
Technology continues to advance society across a breadth and depth of areas. One of the most impacted industries? Healthcare. Also benefiting from advancements to technology within the healthcare sector is substance abuse treatment. If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with addiction, several tech tools can be used to help you achieve and maintain sobriety. Here’s a closer look at five tech tools designed to help support the addiction recovery process.
1. Apps
Apple has the tagline, “There’s an app for that.” This holds true when it comes to addiction treatment. Twelve Steps AA Companion was the first sobriety tool for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Available for both phones and tablets, the app contains a searchable Big Book, sobriety calculator, prayers, promises, and a meeting finder. Furthermore, the icon doesn’t reference AA, which helps protect the user’s anonymity. In short, Twelve Steps AA Companion offers invaluable support to anyone working toward a sober way of life.
Twelve Steps AA is just the start when it comes to sobriety-supporting apps. Others include Twenty-Four Hours a Day, which provides daily meditations; AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker, which helps the user understand how much they are consuming through tracking and a blood alcohol content calculator; I am Sober, a tracking app which includes a handy withdrawal timeline; Sober Grid, which connects users with a sober social network; and many others.
2. Virtual Meetings
Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous offer community support which can be vital during recovery. But what happens if there aren’t any meetings near you or you can’t make it to one scheduled at a particular time? Virtual meetings make it easy to participate, share with others, or even just listen online.
3. Virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an integral part of substance abuse treatment. As with virtual meetings, if you can’t make it to an in-person cognitive behavioral therapy session, web-based therapies are available. These computerized versions of cognitive behavioral therapy have been shown to be effective.
When you can’t connect with a support system in person, virtual connections can be an invaluable lifeline.
4. Social Media
Social media brings people together for all reasons and purposes. It also creates a space for people in recovery. While attending face-to-face meetings is tremendously helpful for some people, others find it easier to share online at first. Facebook is an ideal starting point when it comes to social media and recovery; groups are public, private, and secret, so be sure to find one that agrees with your preferences.
5. EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed as a psychotherapy for treating trauma and PTSD, both of which frequently occur alongside addiction. Says PsychCentral of EMDR’s potential in addiction treatment, “In using EMDR therapy to resolve trauma and addiction, therapists approach each client’s situation through a trauma-informed lens, which allows them to more appropriately address the root causes and contributing factors of the individual’s addiction.”
One last thing to keep in mind? While these addiction treatment technologies offer help to people seeking sobriety, they’re a complement to — not a substitute — for substance abuse treatment. Enter Harris House. This leading St. Louis area rehabilitation center has been helping people recover their lives from addiction for the past 50 years. Contact us today to learn about our individualized addiction treatment programs.
