Covid-19 pandemic lock-downs didn’t stem the tragedy of substance abuse disorder (SUD). Unfortunately, according to the latest findings from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the number of drug overdose deaths increased 28.5% in the 12-month period that ended in April 2021. During that period, more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses, up from 78,000 fatalities during the previous 12 months. Opioid overdose deaths accounted for approximately 75% of the SUD fatalities in the NCHS figures. The remainder included deaths from synthetic opioids, psychostimulants, and cocaine. Fortunately, new digital therapeutics can play an important role in SUD prevention.
Rochester, NY-based CHESS Health recently added ePrevention to its existing eIntervention and eRecovery programs. eIntervention is a closed-loop referral solution to connect people with appropriate services based on individual needs. eRecovery is a mobile app that provides care management tools and peer support during treatment and recovery.
ePrevention has a wider focus than the other two programs. The program uses both provider and community screening to identify people who are at risk of Substance Abuse Disorder. People can also self-screen online anonymously. The program is based on evidence-based screeners that assess individual’s use of alcohol and drugs. ePrevention then recommends specific interventions and providers based on individual’s substance use risk. In addition to the need-tailored interventions, ePrevention also provides personalized feedback designed to support the individual’s desire to reduce their risk levels.
Adding ePrevention to the CHESS Health substance abuse disorder digital therapeutic platform rounds out the system. With new tools to help individuals turn away from SUD before they start or get in too deep, the available therapeutics can answer the concern that such programs are solely reactive. ePrevention is an anonymous online tool available via a wide range of sources including schools, clinics, employers, healthcare websites, and mobile response teams.
