Encouraging Support While Battling Addiction

We have begun exploring applications for reaching a broader population of patients by leveraging the technology that is already part of their lives - cell phones and text messaging.

Patients battling opioid addiction require frequent testing, weekly office visits, support services and outreach, particularly during the early stages of treatment. Text messaging may be a low cost option to extend communication and could play an important role in keeping these patients feeling connected and providing reminders for testing and visits critical to success. During this 12 month pilot, messages were sent to patients on suboxone treatment, tailored to each patient’s phase of therapy.

Patients were overwhelmingly positive about the pilot and plans are in the works to examine ways to expand the program. Over 90% said they would recommend the program to other patinets in their situation, and 100% said the text messages made them feel feel supported by their case manager.

This program was done in collaboration with Lynn Community Health Center and supported in part by Partners Community Benefits and the Verizon Foundation.