The University of Virginia Health System has launched a new app called HOPE that will help people struggling with opioid addiction.
HOPE stands for Heal Overcome Persist Endure, and it aims to provide support to patients battling opioid-use disorder. It offers a secure way to connect with the care providers by providing an anonymous message board where the users can share their experiences and problems. This will help the users to build healing relationships with other people affected by opioids and make them understand the challenges faced.
The initial test of the app involved a small group of patients who were at high risk of getting disengaged from their treatment programs, and the results were magnificent, as more than half of them were still receiving care six months later. The app instantly became a success. Some of the opioid-stressed patients who stopped visiting their care providers also continued with the program by using the app.
An infectious disease expert at UVA who helped to develop the app said that the app's developing team is excited to see that the patients are using the app to continue with the recovery services. The faculty even informed that the design of the app was developed by partnering with the patients, which helped to create a welcoming, low-barrier portal to facilitate staying in care.
The developers are encouraged and pleased with the initial results of the app. They even informed that additional testing of the app is required to implement it for the larger groups.
The app will play a significant role in the future to deal with the opioid crisis throughout the United States as the nation recorded more than 500,000 overdose deaths over two decades which is a major concern for the population.
