Tulsa Rehab Center Uses New Technology To Help Prevent Substance Use Relapse

A Tulsa rehabilitation center is rolling out new technology to help those struggling with substance use get 24/7 access to help.

GRAND Addiction Recovery Center said it is the first residential substance use treatment facility to use iPads to connect people in real-time to relapse support prevention.

Chief Operating Officer Josh Cantwell said they have equipped 50 iPads with a custom application that, at the push of a button, calls a licensed behavioral health professional. Residents in GRAND's substance use treatment facility will then be able to take the iPads home with them at the end of their 30-day stay.

Cantwell said the first 48 to 72 hours after someone leaves rehab is a critical period because that is when a lot of relapses occur. "We know that a lot of times it is those hours when people are alone late at night that they need someone to talk to or that a crisis ensues," he continued saying, "We know that it is very important that they have that instant access so through the application that we use and the iPad's, it is always awake and available to go."

The goal is to train residents on how to use the technology while in rehab, so they will be more comfortable asking for help in a time of crisis outside of it.

"They can hit that button and talk to a therapist while they are here, get used to the process, understand how it works, feel comfortable with it and then when they leave, they are going to be so much more likely to use it and have that connection," said Cantwell.

He said the professionals answering the calls all work in one of GRAND's four 24/7 crisis centers in the state. Cantwell said the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Use Services partners with and helps support GRAND in these innovative strategies.