Challenges Integrates Smart Phone Technology Into Addiction Treatment

April 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Challenges Addiction Treatment and Relapse Prevention Center is one of the first centers in the United States to use Recovery Support Smart Phone technology as part of its arsenal of sophisticated tools to not only enhance addiction treatment, but also to improve the addiction recovery process.

The utilization of this technology, particularly as an integral part of an individual’s continuing care support system, provides invaluable communication and support assistance. It also helps people stay in recovery and helps to keep those struggling with addiction fully engaged in the process of recovery.  This technology links recovering individuals in real time to entire array of recovery support systems.

Challenges has been chosen to participate in a research consortium within a technology program developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin’s engineering department. The Smart Phone application they have developed is called Addiction-CHESS, (ACHESS) named after its creators at the University’s Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies – an organization devoted to improving addiction and mental health treatment outcomes.

Kim Johnson with ACHESS says the Smart Phone was designed for someone who is either currently in treatment, or who is just leaving treatment.  The technology helps the recovering addict stay in touch with their counselor or treatment center as well as their entire recovery support system, which might include sponsors, peers, family, friends, etc. Additionally, ACHESS gives the patient 24-hour access to support from a counselor, as well as other applications that support recovery, via an Android Evo Smart Phone.

The benefit, according to Johnson is that the patient and his or her counselor have the benefit of instant communication. “Someone with a chronic disease is dealing with it all the time, but the treatment provider is with that person only briefly,” Says Johnson. This allows that relationship to continue and allow the counselor more touch points and interaction with the patient, on a more regular basis.

The Smart Phone technology also includes a “panic button” that can be programmed to give whatever response the user wants, which is a tremendous benefit with regard to relapse prevention. The GPS in the Smart Phone can also be programmed to give a certain response at critical moments – for example, whenever the user gets near a bar that he used to get drunk at on a regular basis.

Dale Redlich, Founder of the Challenges Addiction Treatment Center, says:

“This technology does not take the place of traditional forms of treatment, nor does it take the place of one-on-one treatment or counseling. What it does do is to provide someone with the most advanced technology available to remain in communication and obtain support from a variety of sources either through the program’s own implementation of support action, or at the push of a button by the individual. This enhances the ability of someone to maintain an active and healthy recovery as a critical component of relapse prevention.”
 
CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are a member of the media interested in interviewing one of the doctors or experts on the Challenges staff, please contact Shelly Kramer at V3 Integrated Marketing. Contact us at shelly@v3im.com or call 816-200-2520.

If you are not a member of the media and you are interested in learning more about Challenges addiction recovery program, please contact us by phone at 800-755-3334 or online at http://www.challenges-program.com.  The team at Challenges is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Challenges Addiction Treatment & Relapse Prevention Center
5100 Coconut Creek Parkway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33063
(800) 755-3334 Toll Free