Real recovery happens in small bytes,
one moment at a time.

 
Here we’ll share evidence, stories, opinions, and points of view on the positive impact that technology can have on addiction, relapse, and recovery. Our goal is to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of the matter—real and lasting recovery is why we do what we do.

Welcome to Recovery Bytes.
CHESS Health’s Connections App: Protecting Patient Privacy Supporting recovery and protecting patient privacy are not mutually exclusive. Despite this, a recent study highlighted potential concerns with 10 SUD apps, many of which are start-ups with funding from the venture and private equity markets, as well as the federal government.[i]  The findings are certainly cause for concern: many of the apps may be misusing or inappropriately sharing sensitive user data, including the consistent access of unique identifiers.

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Opioid Crisis Settlements: An Opportunity to Expand Access to Technology-based Recovery Supports These funds will make it easier for mental health provider organizations to implement technological solutions to better deliver care in the absence of in-person meetings and scale to meet the growing need. Connecting with others has been a mainstay in recovery programs, and technology can facilitate this while social distancing is in play. Investments in technology also support increasing Peer Engagement Specialists' reach who need modern communication methods to remain connected to clients.

Kathy Carroll, Leaving a Legacy of Innovation For Those In Need For so many, this year has been more than challenging. As we headed into the holidays we thought that, perhaps, this was it and that a new year—a better year—was just around the corner. Sadly, we begin this final week of 2020 without our friend, peer and highly esteemed colleague Dr. Kathleen Carroll.

The Second Wave of COVID-19, The Substance Use Crisis COVID-19 has been devastating, especially for those with SUD... and it is growing deadlier. 70,980 drug overdose deaths hit al all-time high in the U.S.

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Substance Use Disorder, a Complex Illness That Spreads in Isolation Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a complex illness that spreads in isolation. Our mission is to promote real and lasting recovery by leveraging technology to create and maintain connection and offer proactive support to mitigate crisis. Our platform is a powerful, proven solution to the problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Celebrating Connections September is National Recovery Month, with the mission to “promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.”1. In light of the ongoing pandemic and increased need of those suffering from SUDs to find new ways to access recovery support, the theme of 2020’s recovery month is appropriately Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections.

SUD Patients Lean on Mobile Recovery Apps During COVID-19 as Opioid-Related Overdose Cases Spike

Best Practices For Choosing And Implementing A Digital SUD Treatment Solution The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us many things about deficiencies in our healthcare delivery system when it comes to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. During the height of the pandemic, social distancing made it difficult for SUD patients to get counseling or to go to community support groups—many of which were canceled. Although telehealth has helped, video conferencing can make personal engagement and cohesive discussions—especially in group therapy—more challenging. Drug testing and refilling prescriptions also became more difficult, making medication adherence problematic.

Digital Technology Saves SUD Patients From The Devastating Effects Of Covid-19 We must not let our guards down, especially for populations at risk. One of those includes people living with a substance use disorder (SUD). Suspected opioid overdoses rose 18% in March, 29% in April, and 42% in May.[1]

Research Links The Use Of Smartphone App To Improved Retention In Sud Treatment Programs The war against opioid addiction is still raging onward, even though it’s taken less of the spotlight lately. The CDC’s most recent numbers indicate that more than 69,000 people still die each year from drug overdose.[1] While the numbers are trending downward, getting patients into care—and keeping them in retention longer—is still a key barrier to winning the battle. But that’s changing, especially in the area of retention. And that’s good news as research shows that longer retention results in more favorable outcomes.[2]

An Infection of Fear: The Unseen Victims of COVID-19 As a sense of dread spreads across America around the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on those struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) is even more significant, yet relatively unacknowledged. Fear of getting the coronavirus is driving those with SUD to make decisions that put their lives at risk—not from the virus, but from a real, even more life-threatening concern: overdose.

A Crisis on Top of a Crisis The social distancing and quarantine orders in place across the land are effective in slowing the spread of coronavirus, but the destructive consequence is that they unravel the very support structure that people in recovery depend on.

The Danger Of Social Distancing For Those With Substance Use Disorder One of the best ways to reduce isolation during a time of crisis is through SUD technology such as the Connections smartphone app, a part of the CHESS Health Platform from CHESS Health.

Three Opportunities To Improve SUD Transitions Of Care And Reduce Dropouts Opioid deaths, addiction, and misuse of prescription drugs continue to be significant issues for communities across the country. The good news is that we are making progress. Besides additional support from the White House, payers are stepping up coverage for support and treatment. While we can celebrate our progress thus far, we need to be cognizant that we still have a long way to go. One of the major barriers inhibiting success remains a disjointed continuum of care for SUD patients. When patients experience fragmented care, especially in transitions of care, they are more likely to abandon treatment.

$200 Million in CCBHC Expansion Grants

New Year, Same Problems – or New Year, New You? For so many people who struggle with addiction and Substance Use Disorder, this can be one of the most difficult times of year. Holiday parties at work or with friends invite overindulgence in the name of celebration. Family gatherings, so often an emotional minefield, can reopen old inner wounds, and inflict new pain as well. The arrival of a new year can be just another reminder of time and opportunity wasted, and the start of another round of despair and desperation.

Prison and Addiction The Massachusetts Department of Correction press release announces more than $1.2 million in federal funds intended to "treat opioid use disorder among inmates effectively and humanely . . . " At Chess Health, we’re delighted by this news.

A New Definition for Addiction People deserve compassionate, evidence-based care that reflects the chronic and unique nature of this illness

The War On Opioids Begins In The ED Leveraging Peer Specialists and Patient Engagement Tools Prior to Discharge Helps Establish a More Successful Recovery Journey

Home for the Holidays, Recovery Not Relapse Like your sobriety date, the holiday season marks important milestones on the calendar. It's a time of year filled with memories and the anticipation of time spent with family and friends. Whether it is the first season of sobriety or many years into recovery, the holidays are a time of year that heightens feelings of vulnerability, stress, and loneliness. So how do you maintain your sobriety and survive the holidays?

Addiction Recovery Technology Builds Continuous Care Model for Substance Use Disorder Confronting Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Takes a Deft Mix of Traditional Therapeutic Models and New Technologies

The Power of Two for Treating Substance Use Disorder Those who work in the Substance Use Disorder treatment community will likely find Kathleen Hannigan’s observation relevant – especially when the discussion turns to the best way to incorporate technology into the recovery mix. Mobile health tools hold promise, but most recovery experts believe that without peer support, their effectiveness is limited. It’s the power of both that can make the difference in recovery outcomes.

Benzodiazepines and Opioids: A Deadly Combination Reducing Gaps in Information is Key to Treatment Success The latest statistics from the CDC indicate 63,632 Americans died in 2016 from drug overdose, 66% of which were related to opioids.1 Of those, JAMA reports an estimated 30% occurred while patients were also using benzodiazepines.2 This, unfortunately, is not surprising as the risk of an overdose within the first 90 days of concurrent use is five times that of opioid use alone.2

Leveraging Technology-Enabled Addiction Management Changing the Paradigm Substance Abuse Treatment A new approach to enabling more effective treatment programs to achieve long-term recovery success. Patients struggling with substance us disorders (SUD) affects an estimated 320 million people worldwide.1 In 2016 alone, more than 110,000 victims lost their lives to the disease in the U.S. alone.

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