Opioid epidemic has become a public health emergency in the United States, with authorities, researchers and doctors trying to find ways to lessen its impact. Under such circumstances, each initiative matters.

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Combatting Opioid Epidemic Through Text Messaging Tool
Opioid epidemic has become a public health emergency in the United States, with authorities,
researchers and doctors trying to find ways to lessen its impact. Under such circumstances,
each initiative matters. One of the latest developments in this regard is a unique automated
text message device which helps patients cut back on opioid use, manage opioid withdrawal
and prevent relapse.
The device sends automated texts and calls the patients undergoing treatment for opioid
abuse. It asks them if they are doing fine or having a difficult time. The device provides an
option to hit a panic button for immediate support. The device is expected to cut down time
on inpatient appointments and individual calling, allowing physicians to provide treatment to
a large number of patients.
The effectiveness of
this device was
studied by the
researchers at
Washington
University School of
Medicine and
Epharmix, a St. Louis-
based digital health
company. The findings
were published in the
April edition of NEJM
Catalyst, a publication
of The New England
Journal of Medicine
Group.
Senior author Avik Som, MD/PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Washington
University, shared that it is indispensable to come up with newer and powerful tools to deal
with the opioid crisis. Along with his classmates, he had found Epharmix in 2015. The company
is engaged in creating mobile technologies for the management of chronic disorders like
hypertension, depression, and diabetes. Addressing the situation, Som said, “With the opioid
epidemic, time is of the essence because of how quickly it's grown and the lives that are lost.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 115 people
succumb to opioid overdose every day, including deaths from prescription opioids, heroin and
fentanyl. The intent of developing this mobile technology is to supplement the cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT), support services and concurrent treatments aimed at fighting the

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opioid menace. The service does not require opening a rehab or hiring and training new staff.
It will not replace the importance of having a face-to-face interaction. It is affordable and
provides relief on an immediate basis.
Improved connection between patients and caregivers
As many as 21 patients enrolled in the study began using the texting service in the latter half
of 2016 while receiving treatment from a community-based organization in St. Louis. The data
collected from this service suggested that during enrollment, nine patients reported having
abused a substance in the last three days, while nine patients reported no use and the
remaining three didn’t respond. Nearly 50 percent of the study population reported no use
after using the texting device for a period of three months while the number of patients using
a substance dropped to two.
The researchers concluded that even though the positive outcomes were not attributed to
the app solely, the results were nevertheless encouraging. The patients and caregivers
reported the ease with which they communicated via the text messages. It helped them feel
connected to each other. Once the panic button was activated, the patients started receiving
counseling calls and appointments for inpatient meetings and other resources.
The ease of communicating via texts allowed the caregivers to monitor patients on a daily
basis. If a patient was struggling with relapse, he or she would start getting automated
messages and the follow-up questions would classify the risk of relapse as low, moderate or
high. The device also allowed for immediate intervention by health care workers, if required.
The road ahead
The study estimated that the use of texting device led to a reduction in the money spent on
a patient for an addiction treatment service by nearly 19 percent. Though its results were
positive, additional research is warranted to substantiate the findings.
Addiction to opioids can be a life-changing event. It is important to take appropriate drug
addiction therapy to reverse the negative outcomes. If you or your loved one is suffering from
addiction to any prescription opioid, you can seek help from the Arizona Prescription Abuse
Helpline. Call our 24/7 prescription abuse helpline 866-692-3563 to know about the best
treatment centers in Arizona.