DrugRehab.com provides information regarding illicit and prescription drug
addiction, the various populations at risk for the disease, current statistics and trends, and
psychological disorders that often accompany addiction. You will also find information on spotting
the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the individual.
In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on
outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care. In this section, you
will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and
therapy and payment and insurance options.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.
The recovery process doesn't end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to
life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as
12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with
rewarding relationships and meaning.
Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use
prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active
recovery to advocates who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our
community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience.
The Food and Drug Administration on Sept. 14 approved the marketing of reSET, a mobile app developed by Pear Therapeutics that is intended to treat addiction.
This marks the first time the FDA has permitted the use of a prescription digital therapeutic device to treat a disease. Digital therapeutics, a growing trend in health care, uses software rather than medication to improve a person’s health.
“This is a defining moment for digital therapeutics and for patients with substance use disorder,” Corey McCann, president and CEO of Pear Therapeutics, said in a statement.
ReSET is a digital form of therapy that clinicians prescribe during outpatient care. The device uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help treat addictions to marijuana, stimulants, cocaine and alcohol.
Although the app has not been approved to treat opioid dependence, Pear Therapeutics created a version of the software for use with opioid replacement therapies. The company is currently preparing to submit the software to the FDA for review.
ReSET provides cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify, understand and change dysfunctional behaviors. This approach examines the relationship between a person’s behaviors, feelings and thoughts.
The app delivers a 12-week course of treatment intended for adult patients battling addiction who:
Are not participating in opioid replacement therapy
To maximize its effectiveness, reSET is designed to be used alongside traditional outpatient treatment and contingency management, a therapy approach that reinforces positive behaviors with tangible rewards.
The app aims to reduce substance use among people with addiction and increase retention in outpatient treatment programs. ReSET also allows medical providers to access their patients’ self-reported substance use, cravings, triggers and outcomes.
In a press release, Dr. Carlos Peña, director of the Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said that reSET is an example of how digital technology can provide additional resources to people during rehab.
“More therapy tools means a greater potential to help improve outcomes, including abstinence, for patients with substance use disorder,” Peña said.
FDA Study Confirms Effectiveness of ReSET
To test the effectiveness of reSET for treating addictions to cocaine, alcohol, marijuana and stimulants, the FDA reviewed data from a 12-week clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In the study, 399 patients with addiction received either standard treatment or standard treatment in combination with a desktop-based version of reSET.
Two times per week, researchers measured abstinence from drug and alcohol use with urine analysis, Breathalyzer tests and self-reports. The results showed that the abstinence rate of patients who used reSET was more than double the rate of those who received treatment without the app.
“The clinical outcomes demonstrated in the reSET pivotal study are remarkable,” Edward V. Nunes, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and lead investigator of the study, said in a statement. “Clinically validated digital therapeutics may become a cornerstone of future treatment.”
Digital Therapeutics Could Reduce Medical Costs and Side Effects
ReSET is part of a growing trend in the medical community: digital therapy.
Digital therapeutics use digital or online technology to enhance traditional behavioral therapy. The software applications assist in treating disease by changing patient behaviors and providing remote monitoring to doctors. Through digital therapy, health professionals can track their patients’ progress and give daily feedback.
These devices incorporate patient-facing applications, assessments and outcome monitoring, tracking dashboards for clinicians and HIPAA-approved data storage. In randomized clinical studies, digital therapeutics are required to display efficacy and safety.
App developers and health care professionals have taken notice. A number of health companies in Silicon Valley are developing digital therapy devices. And many physicians, health plans and employers have supported the use of digital therapeutics.
Today, companies are creating digital therapeutics to assist in the treatment of opioid dependence, insomnia, chronic disease and other disorders. Many believe this innovative form of therapy is a cost-effective approach that bypasses the side effects of medication-based treatment.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Matt Gonzales is a writer and researcher for DrugRehab.com. He graduated with a degree in journalism from East Carolina University and began his professional writing career in 2011. Matt covers the latest drug trends and shares inspirational stories of people who have overcome addiction. Certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in health literacy, Matt leverages his experience in addiction research to provide hope to those struggling with substance use disorders.
Calls will be answered by a qualified admissions representative with Advanced Recovery Systems (ARS), the owners of DrugRehab.com. We look forward to helping you!
Phone calls to treatment center listings not associated with ARS will go directly to those centers. DrugRehab.com and ARS are not responsible for those calls.
