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. 2024 Feb;11(1):149-162.
doi: 10.1007/s40429-023-00523-1. Epub 2023 Dec 27.

Use of Digital Health and Digital Therapeutics to Treat SUD in Criminal Justice Settings: a Review

Ginnie Sawyer-Morris  1 , Judith A Wilde  2   3 , Todd Molfenter  4 , Faye Taxman  2
Affiliations

Use of Digital Health and Digital Therapeutics to Treat SUD in Criminal Justice Settings: a Review

Ginnie Sawyer-Morris et al. Curr Addict Rep. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to investigate the use of digital health technologies and/or digital therapeutics (DTx) products in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) in the general population and among criminal justice-involved individuals.

Recent findings: Despite an expanding evidence base, only three SUD DTxs have received federal regulatory approval. Across studies, DTx products have proven successful in engaging patients in SUD treatment and reducing healthcare costs and resource utilizations. Findings for emerging SUD DTx products show similar results. Still, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the use of digital health technologies and/or DTx among criminal justice populations.

Summary: DTxs have proven effective for treating multiple SUD types (e.g., nicotine and opioids) among the general population. DTx shows similar promise among justice-involved populations, but additional efficacy and implementation research is needed to address barriers such as cost, cultural resistance, and infrastructure.

Keywords: Criminal justice settings; Digital health; Digital therapeutics; Opioid use disorder; Software as a medical device; Substance use disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Authors Sawyer-Morris, Wilde, and Taxman declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Author Todd Molfenter has < 1% stock ownership in CHESS Mobile Health that markets the Connections App. Dr. Molfenter played no role in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of the studies reviewed for this article. Dr. Molfenter has worked extensively with his institution to manage any conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Depiction of differences among digital health, digital medicine, and DTx products [4, 24]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Decision tree for selection of the DTx in this review. *These DTxs have been studied only in the general population, not with justice-involved individuals
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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