The potential of eHealth in the treatment of substance use disorders: a perspcitive on digital theraies

AUTHOR: Almeida, André
INTRODUCTION: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) constitutes a significant global public health issue, profoundly impacting individuals' physical and mental health. Notably, in the global context, only one in five individuals with SUD has access to treatment, and the low adherence to services and treatment abandonment continue to hinder recovery. Digital therapies, also known as Digital Therapeutics, represent health technologies that can serve as an additional tool in treating various conditions, including SUD. However, there is a paucity of studies, particularly in Brazil, regarding the outcomes of using this tool for patients with SUD.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential of eHealth (digital health) in the treatment of SUD through mHealth digital interventions.
METHODS: A literature review was conducted using both international and national databases (PUBMED, WEB SCIENCE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, SCIELO), encompassing articles published from 2019 to 2022 in English and Portuguese. The keywords "Substance-Related Disorders AND Mobile Applications" were employed. Articles were selected based on inclusion criteria for studies on treatments involving the use of mHealth in the prevention, treatment, and post-treatment of SUD. A total of 530 articles were found, of which only 10 were included in this review.
RESULTS: International systematic reviews support the growing evidence that mHealth technology is a promising means for addressing SUD. Furthermore, mHealth technology has shown promising potential in the treatment and prevention of substance abuse by collecting valuable information that enhances both research and treatment. Notably, the American Psychiatric Association (APA 2023) has established criteria for professionals to integrate mental health applications into patient care.
The criteria for integrating applications into traditional care are as follows:
- Accessibility;- Privacy and Security;- Clinical Foundation;- Engagement Style;- Therapeutic Goal.
CONCLUSION: Overall, digital interventions have been deemed feasible but not consistently effective in assisting individuals recovering from SUD in reducing substance use or achieving other recovery goals. Despite numerous studies on the subject, there remains a gap in the scientific literature concerning the various applicabilities of mHealth in the treatment and monitoring of individuals with SUD, particularly in Brazil. Further research is necessary for effective adoption in clinical practice. Investing time and resources in this process is worthwhile, as the integration of mental health applications in the care of individuals with SUD has the potential to improve patient outcomes and increase access to evidence-based interventions.