Nowadays, people won’t get off the couch without their phone in their hand or back pocket.
With smartphones constantly by our side, people have the world at their fingertips. While many phone apps are designed solely for entertainment purposes, others are looking to make a bigger impact in the world.
A Smartphone App For Opioid Education
As a Pompano treatment center for addiction, we understand that anyone can become addicted to drugs, and young adults are often one of the most susceptible groups. Because of peer pressure, curiosity, or lack of knowledge, young teens and adults may abuse drugs and alcohol. While many campaigns focus on underage drinking, many young adults abuse prescription drugs without realizing all of the consequences. Because of these reasons as well as the implementation of preventive campaigns to try and combat the ongoing opioid crisis, one company came up with a phone app for opioid abuse education.Preventum Initiative is a nonprofit that focuses on drug prevention campaigns and other public health challenges, especially with the youth.1 Their team created an app called FEND that stands for Full Energy, No Drugs. It strives to educate the youth on the dangerous effects of opioid abuse. The opioid abuse app includes facts about commonly abused prescription drugs as well as signs of an opioid overdose and what to do in that situation. The opioid abuse app also talks about mental health issues, another common problem for young adults.
The app is free and works by rewarding users who answer questions correctly about opioid abuse. The gaming and quiz-like structure of the app is designed to engage teens. With enough correct responses, users can win items like gift cards, vouchers, and even event tickets. The biggest problem is keeping the app funded, but as the app becomes more widely used and its successes are evident, the hope is that more money will be allotted to the program.
Rather than a focus on partial hospitalization programs or other treatment programs, at Preventum Initiative, their overall goal is to prevent young adults from misusing opioids and becoming addicted in the first place. They also hope that their app could save lives as more people learn what to do in case of an overdose. The app appears to be making an impact already as one user, Bryan, has stated, “I never realized that people of all ages can get addicted to opioids. I always thought it was just those who did illegal non-prescription drugs. Seeing this app, I’m now more careful watching what I take, and that I’m taking it as directed. It’s crazy to think that addiction can happen to anyone.”1
As an opioid rehab in Florida, we have seen the devastating effects that opioids can have on a person’s life, and it often begins with the misuse of prescription drugs. While FEND focuses on prevention, when addiction occurs, it is important to get professional help immediately.
At Banyan Treatment Center Pompano, we help patients with their battle against opioids and other addictive drugs so that they can get their lives back on track.
To learn more about us, call today at 888-280-4763.
Sources:
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.
