Recovery support services are designed to help individuals with substance use disorders enter into and navigate systems of care, stay engaged in the recovery process, and live full lives in their communities. Technology offers one more avenue by which behavioral health professionals can support patients’ recovery, thereby increasing recovery participation and decreasing the likelihood of relapse. This presentation focuses on how the reach of recovery support services can be extended through the use of technologies (e.g., the web, social media, smartphone apps, and cell phone), which is especially important for individuals residing in rural/frontier areas with limited access to services. Thus, expanding access to recovery support services through the use of technologies can help individuals achieve positive health outcomes.

1. Nancy A. Roget, MS
Recovery Support Technologies: One Answer
for Rural/Fron<er Areas

2. develop and strengthen the
workforce that provides addic<ons
treatment and recovery support
services to those in need
Purpose of the
Addic<on Technology Transfer Centers (ATTCs)
(SAMHSA funded)

3. ATTC Network
Coordina<ng Office
10 Regional Centers
2012 – 2017

4. Na%onal
Fron%er & Rural
ATTC
Na%onal
American Indian & Alaska Na%ve
ATTC Na%onal
SBIRT
ATTC
Na%onal
Hispanic & La%no
ATTC
4 Na%onal Focus Centers

6. Serves as the na%onal subject expert
and key
to PROMOTE the awareness and
implementa%on of telehealth technologies
in order to expand access and enhance
treatment and recovery services, especially
in rural and fron%er areas

7. Substance use is a public health crisis
in the rural United States and has been
iden%fied as one of the top 10
priori%es
Rural Healthy People 2020

8. Higher rates of substance use in
rural communi%es compared to urban
areas have been well-documented.
(Mar<no et al., 2008; Small et al.,2010; Shannon et al., 2010; Gamm et al., 2003; Jackson et al., 2006;
Lamberts et al., 2008; Blazer et al., 1987; Jackson, 2012)

9. Individuals in rural communi%es have
unique barriers to treatment and
recovery services
(Fortney & Booth, 2001; Fortney, 2011; Browne, et al., 2015)

10. Crea<ng effec<ve
models and recovery
spaces will require
mobilizing assets within
the rural community —
including individuals
and families in recovery,
recovery mutual aid
organiza<ons, new
recovery support
ins<tu<ons, and new
technology-based
recovery supports
(White, 2016)

11. One promising idea is
to capitalize on health
technology such as
Internet-based
resources and smart
phones, to provide
recovery supports.
(Laudet & Humphreys, 2013))

13. There is a growing consensus
that recovery is more than
simply abs<nence from
alcohol and other drugs.
(Garner et al., 2014)

14. SAMHSA’s working defini<on of
Recovery from Mental Disorders and/or
Substance Use Disorders:
“A process of change through which
individuals improve their health and
wellness, live a self-directed life, and
strive to reach their full potenAal.”
(hdp://www.samhsa.gov/recovery)

15. (hdp://www.samhsa.gov/recovery)
SAMHSA
has delineated
4 major dimensions
that support a life in
RECOVERY

16. Health
• Overcoming or managing
one’s DISEASE(s) or
symptoms
• Making informed, healthy
choices that support physical
and emo<onal well-being (hdp://www.samhsa.gov/recovery)

17. (hdp://www.samhsa.gov/recovery)
Home
Having a
SAFE and STABLE
place to live

18. (hdp://www.samhsa.gov/recovery)
Purpose
• Conduc<ng meaningful daily ac<vi<es,
such as a job, school volunteerism,
family caretaking, or crea<ve
endeavors
• Having the independence, income, and
resources to PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY

19. (hdp://www.samhsa.gov/recovery)
Community
Having
RELATIONSHIPS and
SOCIAL NETWORKS
that provide
support, friendship,
love, and hope

20. Recovery Support Services
RSS
(White, 2009)
• refers to the whole spectrum of services
that can support addic<on recovery
• is most olen applied to non-clinical
services (i.e., support beyond the arenas
of clinical assessment, diagnosis, and
treatment)

21. TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY USED FOR
RECOVERY SUPPORT

22. Technologies Used in
Recovery Support
• Web-based support
• Blogs, videos, and podcasts
• Mobile Apps
• Social networks

23. WEB-BASED
SUPPORT

24. Primary areas of
beneficial impact
Emo<onal
Support
Informa<on Socializa<on
(McColl et al., 2014)

25. OSGs have a direct effect on
well-being and personal
empowerment.
(Tanis, 2007; Barled & Coulson, 2011)

26. Online support groups are
associated with higher life sa%sfac%on
and highly desired by people in
distress, repor%ng posi%ve and
relevant interac%ons.
(McColl et al., 2014)

27. • Convenient
• 24/7 access
• Lead to meaningful peer connec<ons
• Preserve users’ anonymity
• Specialty groups accessible
• Bridge between inpa<ent and outpa<ent
programs
• Improved outcomes in maintaining recovery
Benefits of OSGs
(Bartled & Coulson, 2011; Clough & Casey, 2011; McColl et al., 2014)

28. ONLINE NARRATIVES

29. • a type of website started by someone in
recovery
• contains entries of personal commentary
and discussions on different aspects of
addic<on recovery
• similar to an online diary
• usually interac<ve, allowing visitors to make
comments and message each other
• helps people connect, learn, and share ideas
• may also feature news or magazine ar<cles
Recovery Blogs

30. Science supports therapeu<c benefits of
wri<ng about personal experiences,
thoughts, and feelings.
• Expressive Wri<ng
– improves memory and sleep
– boosts immune systems
– reduces viral load in AIDS pa<ents
– speeds healing aler surgery
(hdp://www.scien<ficamerican.com/ar<cle/the-healthy-type/)

31. Here is the list of the top addic<on and recovery blogs for 2014:
1. The Fix, hNp://www.thefix.com (74,836)
2. Momastery, hNp://momastery.com (95,935)
3. Intervene, hNp://intervene.drugfree.org (110,853)
4. Sober Julie, hNp://www.soberjulie.com (127,318)
5. Addic%on Blog, hNp://alcohol.addic%onblog.org (237,073)
6. Sober College, hNp://sobercollege.com (249,029)
7. Spiritual River, hNp://www.spiritualriver.com (311,142)
8. SoberNa%on, hNp://www.soberna%on.com (359,897)
9. Chipur, hNp://chipur.com (399,373)
10. Sort My Life Solu%ons, hNp://www.smyls.co.uk (465,037)
11. Breaking the Cycles, hNp://www.breakingthecycles.com (512,917)
12. The Hurt Healer, hNp://carolynhughesthehurthealer.com (850,601)
13. Addic%on Today, hNp://www.addic%ontoday.org (881,558)
14. Paul Garrigan.com, hNp://paulgarrigan.com (883,526)
15. Recovery Health Care, hNp://recoveryhealthcare.me (921,193)
(hdp://cathytaughinbaugh.com/55-top-addic<on-recovery-blogs-2014/)

32. Addic<on Inbox

34. Example: part of a recovery blog from Sobriety Collec<ve, August 2016

35. The Discovering Alcoholic Blog

36. Drunky Drunk Girl Blog

37. Shader Proof Blog

38. Sober Guy
XXX

39. #hashtags:
#recovery
#sobriety
#AA
#onedayata%me
#soberissexy
#soberliving
#teamsober
#recoveryispossible
#celebraterecovery
#soberna%on
#sobermovement
#addic%onchat
#HopeSharedHere
Address another user or organiza%on
with “@”
@Recovery_Org
@OurYoung Addicts
@NFAR_ATTC

41. Eleven podcasts with interviews and informa%on to help
support all aspects of recovery
1. Smart Recovery and Special Event Podcasts,
hdp://smartrecovery.libsyn.com/webinar-act-smart (6,673)
2. Recovery 101, hdp://recovery101.podoma<c.com/ (18,151)
3. Addicted to Addicts,
hdp://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/addicted-to-addicts-
survival-101/ (844,757)
4. Growing Up Chao<c, hdp://growingupchao<c.com/ (1,688,294)
5. The Bubble Hour, hdp://www.thebubblehour.com/ (5,459,624)
6. 100 Pedals,
hdp://www.100pedals.com/category/addic<on-conversa<on-podcast/
(2,575,911)
7. Sober Conversa<ons,
hdp://recoveryhealthcare.me/category/sober-conversa<ons/ (5,750,285)
8. Recovered Podcast, hdp://recoveredcast.blogspot.com/ (12,615,234)
9. Addic<on Recovery Radio,
hdp://www.addic<onrecoveryradio.com/podcast/ (17,635,126)
10. The Recovery Show, hdp://therecoveryshow.com/(20,434,827)

42. The Bubble Hour

43. 12 on 12

44. Aler Party Pod

46. Joe Walsh One Day at a Time

47. Apps provide:
• Informa<on
• Mo<va<on
• Support
• Feedback

50. Sobriety Grid

51. Users can log in to
Sober Grid to find
sober people
wherever they are:
• chat and messaging
func<ons can be used
by selec<ng individual
profiles on The Grid
• has a feature that allows users to send their loca<on
to another user if they would like to meet up.
• geosocial networking features help users find and
connect with sober people locally and anywhere in
the world.

52. SNS facilitate highly interac<ve online communi<es
where individuals share, co-create, discuss and
modify user-generated content

53. • Easily accessed across devices
• Allows rapid sharing of resources
• Large reach and engagement
• Common experiences reduce s<gma
Social network site benefits

55. Closed social media networks

56. So, jump in…

57. Do your own research…
• Check out websites, blogs, apps, and
podcasts
• Check on them frequently (sign-up and
follow them)
• Ask pa<ents and colleagues what they use
and solicit their recommenda<ons
• Keep track of pa<ent’s interests’ in specific
websites, blogs, apps, and podcasts
• Advise pa<ents about privacy/security and
confiden<ality issues especially with Apps

58. “As a community of clinicians, stakeholders,
and researchers, we need to understand that
those in need of care are more technologically
savvy than ever before. Many already seek
informa%on about their condi%ons and
treatments online or in an app store. It is
essen%al that we adapt our treatment models
so that these individuals can benefit from
opportuni%es afforded by emerging
technology. Not doing so because of our own
preferences and predilec%ons would be a great
disservice”.
BEN-ZEEV, 2014