(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – An innovative app developed in response to a growing number of people addicted to heroin, is putting a strong social support network in the palms of the hands of those who need it most.
“No matter what issue you are battling, a strong social support system is critical to succeeding,” said Brad Lander, an addiction medicine specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “The best thing about this app is not only that it’s free, but that it literally puts help at your fingertips, day or night.”
The app was developed by Brandi Spaulding, a doctoral intern. “Drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed my life as a kid, and now I’m watching heroin tear apart so many families in my hometown,” she said. “I knew I needed to do something to help.”
The app records and rewards sobriety, and offers monitoring to gauge a patient’s mood, stress level and urge to relapse. Those readings are shared with up to ten people in the addict’s support circle. In the event of an emergency, addicts can use a one-touch panic button that contacts the entire support team for instant counseling.
