It offers an innovative solution.
A new study suggests that a smartphone app can significantly assist individuals in managing opioid use disorder (OUD). When combined with traditional medications for OUD, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, the app led to a 35% reduction in opioid use. Participants using the app also stayed in recovery 19% longer than those receiving only medication, indicating that the app could be an effective addition to standard treatment approaches.
The app integrates contingency management (CM), an evidence-based therapy that rewards patients with financial incentives for meeting recovery milestones, alongside medication and peer support. According to Elise Marino, lead investigator and director of research operations at the Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders, these findings suggest that the app-based CM can provide valuable benefits, particularly for underserved populations.
OUD continues to pose a significant public health challenge, costing the U.S. nearly $969 billion annually and contributing to a high number of drug overdose deaths, particularly from opioids. Researchers believe that expanding access to digital solutions like the app could help reduce the economic and societal burden of opioid addiction, complementing the effectiveness of medications like methadone and buprenorphine, which are currently the only evidence-based treatments for OUD.
The WEconnect Health app offers users a way to set and track personal recovery goals such as attending support meetings, exercising, or reading. Users can earn up to $800 annually in digital gift cards from various retailers as incentives. In addition, the app includes peer support and access to online meetings, making it a comprehensive tool for promoting long-term recovery.
For the study, 600 participants with OUD were divided into two groups: one receiving only medication and the other receiving both medication and the app. The results revealed that app users used opioids on average for only 8 days during the study, compared to 12 days for those receiving medication alone. Additionally, app users continued their treatment for an average of 290 days, compared to 236 days for those who only received medication, highlighting the app’s potential to improve treatment adherence and outcomes.
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