Digital Approaches to Diagnosing and Treating Substance Abuse Disorder: Advances in Technology, Regulation and Training-View Presentation

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The talk focused on digital approaches for diagnosing and treating substance use disorders. Key speakers included Dr. Bold, discussing applications and wearables for smoking cessation, and Dr. Lisa Marsh, emphasizing the use of technology in mental health. The session highlighted the striking need for innovative treatments, given the vast number of individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders but not receiving any treatment. Digital health tools, such as apps and wearables, present promising solutions for reaching these underserved populations. Dr. Bold discussed tobacco use as a critical health concern, stating that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, with immense public health and economic costs. Digital apps for smoking cessation were found to be widely available but often lack empirical support and evidence-based practices. Dr. Marsh emphasized the robust clinical utility of digital therapeutics across various mental health issues, not just substance use disorders. She presented data showing these digital interventions reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations, offer real-time feedback for health monitoring, and support patient engagement outside clinical settings. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning privacy concerns and motivating patient engagement with these technologies. The speakers suggested that while digital therapeutic tools could substantially impact public health, ensuring patient privacy and fostering meaningful clinician-patient interaction remain paramount. The session underscored the immense potential of digital health innovations to revolutionize mental health care delivery but acknowledged the need for stringent evaluation and adaptable implementation strategies.

Keywords

digital health

substance use disorders

smoking cessation

wearables

mental health

digital therapeutics

public health

patient engagement

privacy concerns

tobacco use

health monitoring

treatment innovation