Treating Drug Use with Smart Phones

Today’s new technologies continue to improve our society—especially in the medical field. A new project from the University of Massachusetts Medical School has taken a combination of artificial intelligence, smartphone programming, biosensors and wireless connectivity to create a device that can detect drug and alcohol cravings. A press release from UMass Medical School released the following details on the iHeal,

“Individuals with a history of substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder were asked to wear an iHeal sensor band around their wrist that measures the electrical activity of the skin, body motion, skin temperature and heart rate – all indicators of stress. The band wirelessly transmits information to a smartphone, where software applications monitor and process the user’s physiological data. When the software detects an increased stress level, it asks the user to annotate events by inputting information about their perceived level of stress, drug cravings, and current activities. This information is then used to identify, in real-time, drug cravings and deliver personalized, multimedia drug prevention interventions precisely at the moment of greatest physiological need.”

It’s truly exciting to see the new and different ways that technology can help drug addicts and alcoholics fight cravings, but technologies like iHeal are only small pieces of the recovery puzzle. It is still extremely important for a struggling addict to get professional help in order to mentally and physically get on the right track, and then technologies like iHeal can help prevent a relapse. Drug rehab programs have proven to help patients find the strength to overcome abuse and chemical dependency through various treatments and therapies. Seabrook is an internationally recognized drug rehab and alcoholism detox treatment center that offers individually inspired programs that focus on each patient’s unique recovery needs. At Seabrook, we are committed to providing quality addiction treatment for the physical, emotional and spiritual illness of chemical dependency. Our structured, nurturing programs, along with the principles grounded in the Twelve Step philosophy of recovery, combine to foster the kind of change necessary for a clean and sober life. Seabrook has rehab facilities located in New Jersey (NJ) and Pennsylvania (PA) and also an outpatient office in New York (NY). If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse or alcoholism, contact Seabrook today in order to get on the road to recovery!