scholarly journals Smartphone Apps Targeting Alcohol and Illicit Substance Use: Systematic Search in in Commercial App Stores and Critical Content Analysis (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Tofighi ◽  
Chemi Chemi ◽  
Jose Ruiz-Valcarcel ◽  
Paul Hein ◽  
Lu Hu
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Critical Content

BACKGROUND Smartphone apps promise to enhance the reach of evidence-based interventions (cognitive behavior therapy, contingency management and therapeutic education system) for populations with substance use disorders, with minimal disruption to health systems. However, further studies are needed to systematically evaluate smartphone apps targeting alcohol and illicit substances. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the functionality, aesthetics, and quality of information of free or low-cost apps claiming to target alcohol, benzodiazepine, cocaine, crack/cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and heroin use using the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and critical content analysis. METHODS A systematic search of iTunes and Google Play app stores for free or low-cost apps facilitating recovery was conducted in March 2018 and yielded 904 apps using the keywords described in previous studies (eg, recovery, sobriety, sober, alcohol, and heroin). An interdisciplinary team of clinicians, behavioral informatics, and public health reviewers trained in substance use disorders conducted a descriptive analysis of 74 apps categorized as reducing use. In addition to the MARS scale, a descriptive analysis of relevant apps was conducted by the study team to assess for quality indicators emphasized by expert guidelines and review articles. RESULTS Most apps (n=74) claimed to reduce use or promote abstinence and yielded an overall low median MARS score of 2.82 (0.55) and a wide range of scores (1.64, 4.20). Ratings were also low for engagement (2.75 (0.72)), functionality (3.64 (0.78)), aesthetics (3.03 (0.87)), information (2.82 (0.62)), and satisfaction (1.76 (0.67)) subdomains. Innovative design and content features elicited in the review included initial assessments of substance use following app download, tracking substance use, and related consequences (eg, cost or calorie intake), remote and proximate peer support per geospatial positioning, and allowing users and family members of individuals with substance use disorders to locate 12-step meetings, treatment programs, and mental health services. Few apps integrated evidence-based psychotherapeutic (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] or motivational interviewing) and pharmacologic interventions (eg, naloxone or buprenorphine). CONCLUSIONS Few commercially available apps yielded in our search integrated evidence-based interventions (eg, extended-release naltrexone, buprenorphine, naloxone, Self-Management and Recovery Training recovery, or CBT), and a concerning number of apps promoted harmful drinking and illicit substance use.

Addictions: Evidence for Integrative Treatment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary F. Morrison ◽  
Karen Lin ◽  
Susan Gersh
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Integrative Therapies

Legal and illicit substance use disorders are common conditions associated with substantial impairment in health as well as social and occupational functioning. Integrative medicine proposes modalities that offer promise for increasing the likelihood of undertaking treatment for substance use as well as retaining individuals in treatment. Of the integrative therapies discussed, mindfulness-based therapies have both the greatest number of and most rigorous studies for substance use disorders. Mindfulness-based therapies can significantly reduce the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances compared to control conditions. Complementary therapies reviewed include acupuncture, mindfulness-based practices, exercise, yoga, biofeedback and neurofeedback, art and music therapy, as well as diet and dietary supplements, both herbal and vitamin. Given the high acceptability and low cost of integrative medicine interventions, studies employing these techniques as adjunctive therapies to conventional treatments should be more vigorously supported if they are well-designed and include adequate numbers of subjects.

Smartphone Applications for Mindfulness Training in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

2020 ◽  
pp. 428-438
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Garrison ◽  
Stephanie S. O'Malley ◽  
Judson A. Brewer ◽  
Marc N. Potenza
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Substance Use Treatment ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Clinical Testing ◽  
Smartphone Apps

There are presently more than 1,000 smartphone apps offering mindfulness or meditation in some form, marketed largely to improving one’s health and well-being. At the same time, scientific credibility of most available mindfulness and meditation apps is considered low, and clinical testing of these apps is only in beginning stages. Nevertheless, initial work is under way and suggests that evidence-based mindfulness apps may have clinical benefits for mental health. This chapter reviews the state of the science of mindfulness apps, with a focus on the treatment of substance use disorders. Mindfulness training, in person, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of substance use disorders. Mobile technologies such as smartphone apps offer numerous advantages to delivering mindfulness training, conducting clinical studies, and potentially improving clinical outcomes in substance use treatment over in-person mindfulness training. This chapter outlines the advantages and some possible limitations of delivering mindfulness training via smartphone app, reviews available mindfulness apps for mental health, reviews scientific literature supporting these apps, and proposes areas of focus for further development of mindfulness apps. Findings indicate that mindfulness training is feasible to deliver by smartphone app and other mobile technologies, initial clinical testing of mindfulness apps for substance use treatment is promising, and larger randomized controlled trials are under way. Importantly, more mindfulness apps and trials are utilizing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Guidelines for Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Summary of WHO Recommendations

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e1001122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Dua ◽  
Corrado Barbui ◽  
Nicolas Clark ◽  
Alexandra Fleischmann ◽  
Vladimir Poznyak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals “Turning the tide” in Treatment of substance use: A nursing response

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Worley ◽  
Kathleen R. Delaney
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Healthcare Provider ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To analyze science and practice surrounding nursing approaches to substance use disorders (SUDs) and make recommendations for the future.Methods: A review of literature and topics related to healthcare provider stigma, science surrounding SUDs, nursing approaches to SUDs in education and practice and evidence based treatment was conducted, analyzed and synthesized.Results: Stigma is embedded in nursing approach to SUDs, up to date information regarding SUDs is not widely disseminated or practiced in nursing.Conclusions: To reduce the impact of stigma and to bring nurses into the “turning the Tide” movement requires an understanding of how beliefs root stigma, building knowledge related to SUDs as an illness, and expansion of nurses' skill when intervening with individuals dealing with SUDs.

Evidence-Based Practice in Psychotherapy for Substance Use Disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 217-228
Author(s):  
Fernanda Machado Lopes ◽  
Vanessa Dordron de Pinho ◽  
Laisa Marcorela Andreoli Sartes
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Evidence Based

The Complex Relationship Between Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders

2017 ◽  
pp. 60-78
Author(s):  
Amy Baker Dennis ◽  
Tamara Pryor
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Integrated Treatment ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Adaptive Function ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments

Eating disorders (ED) and substance use disorders (SUD) frequently co-occur but are rarely treated in a comprehensive integrated manner. This chapter elucidates the complex relationship between ED and SUD to help the treating professional create an integrated treatment plan that addresses both disorders and any other co-occurring conditions. Evidence-based treatments for each disorder are discussed, and recommendations on how to take “best practices” from both fields to formulate a treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of the patient are presented. The chapter includes case examples that demonstrate the importance of understanding the adaptive function of both disorders when developing an effective intervention.

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