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Negosentro | How Has Technology Improved Drug Rehab Care? | Drug rehabilitation facilities and the process of drug rehabilitation have come a long way since addiction was first recognized as a medical condition and people recognized the need for treatment beyond detoxification. Many substances require medical detoxification due to the medical threats posed during the detoxification process. The general research and understanding of rehabilitation from different substances have also grown exponentially making facilities better prepared to help all individuals suffering from a substance use disorder, and the advancement of technology has helped considerably. Here are three ways technology has improved drug rehabilitation care.
1. Improved intake.
Due to the complexity of the intake process, not every patient will be suited for every drug rehab center. There are different levels of care that need to be considered as well. Having to look at so many factors promptly is critical as the patient is entering a physically and emotionally painful process. Patient management systems have made the intake process faster and more streamlined. Drug and alcohol rehab centers in Arizona, for example, can efficiently complete an intake with an out-of-state patient over the phone and have a bed ready for them when they arrive. Facilities like The Hope House can help a wide range of individual needs—including assistance with a dual-diagnosis—but that is one of the many factors that need to be introduced during the intake process to ensure the best possible placement and care.
2. Expanded the continuum of care.
The continuum of care is the process from one level of care to the next for individuals with a substance use disorder. For example, an individual may start in the hospital due to a substance-related illness. From the hospital, they may go to a detoxification center for anywhere from three to ten days. After being medically detoxed from the substances; meaning the substances are out of a patient’s system, they may go to a rehabilitation center to address the mental and emotional pull addiction has on them. Rehab can be offered in a variety of different ways and utilize multiple methods including individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, the introduction of a 12 step program, or other ongoing recovery support programs. Once they leave the luxury rehab, they may enroll in outpatient services upon returning home or go to live in a sober living facility for a time.
The continuum of care can be expanded with computer programs that assist staff at each facility or organization to look at the patient’s options based on their specific needs, location, and insurance. Individuals with IT masters degrees design information systems based on their information technology specialization. Gaining professional experience with software developers and software engineers has enabled IT professionals to take their knowledge of information technology and apply it to the needs of the recovery community in order to provide the best and most efficient possible care.
3. Enhanced tracking ability.
Facilities and organizations that offer detoxification, rehabilitation, intensive outpatient, and sober living often work together to increase the continuum of care and get the best possible outcomes for the individuals and their families. Getting funding, observing shifts in client populations, and determining success requires careful data tracking. Computer programs that allow for better tracking enable these facilities and organizations to have the most recent numbers and figures available at a moment’s notice.
Technology has improved most areas of life, and drug rehabilitation is no exception. Recovery from a substance use disorder requires multiple levels of care and is a lifelong process. improved intake, expanded continuum of care and enhanced tracking ability have greatly improved the recovery process for many already and will continue to improve the process for others. Substance use disorder is a serious illness that impacts millions of people. It is a family disease because addiction does not happen in a vacuum, so recovery means recovery for the entire family.
