A multipurpose mobile application aimed at recovering alcoholics that includes an alarm button and sounds an alert when they get too close to taverns helped some to stay sober, found researchers who developed the tool.
The application study adds to many others that serve as electronic guardian angels to offer a variety of options to try to prevent alcohol and drug relapse into their addictions.
Adults who left treatment centers for alcoholism and received free phones with the application reported fewer drinking days and total abstinence than those receiving usual tracking support.
The results are based on reports from the patients themselves, which represents a potential limitation. Still, experts say the immediacy of the help of smartphones could make them a useful tool in the fight against relapse.
Wiitala Marcos, 32, participated in the study and implementation ensures that helped save his life.He said the most useful feature allowing you to connect to a network of colleagues who had undergone the same recovery program. The application made available immediately for a text message or an encouraging phone call when he needed an emotional boost.
"It's an absolutely amazing tool," Wiitala, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, who said the still used despite the study ended said.
The findings were published online Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
The study followed 271 adults for one year after treatment for alcoholism in which were interned in one of several centers in the United States. Patients were randomized to receive cell applying for eight months plus the usual follow-up treatment, which usually involves referral to a group of autoayuda_, or have only themselves routine monitoring.
The application includes a function that periodically by text or voicemail about how patients questions. If enough answers seem troubling, the system automatically notifies an advisor who can then offer help.
The alarm button can be programmed to notify colleagues who are closest to the patient when pressed. It also provides links to relaxation techniques to calm the patient while waiting for help.
"We have said that makes a big difference," said David Gustafson , lead author and director of the Center for the Study of Systems Improves Health of the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is among application developers, nicknamed A-CHESS by the acronym of the center.
He added that it is commercially developed and is not yet available.
Jram
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