A Digital Therapy App More Than Doubled Abstinence Rates for Substance Use Disorders | Research

The takeaway

A digital therapeutic delivering behavioral therapy more than doubled 12-week abstinence rates (40.3% vs 17.6%) and improved treatment retention for people with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or stimulant use disorders.

People seeking treatment for substance use, addiction medicine providers, digital health researchers

40.3% vs 17.6% abstinence rate

What the researchers found

Among 399 patients with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or stimulant use disorders, those receiving the digital therapeutic plus treatment-as-usual (with reduced counseling) achieved significantly higher abstinence at weeks 9-12 (40.3% vs 17.6%, P<0.001) and better treatment retention (P=0.004). Adverse event rates were similar between groups.

Why it matters

Face-to-face substance abuse treatment has significant access barriers. A digital therapeutic that can be used remotely while maintaining or improving outcomes addresses a critical treatment gap.

The numbers in context

399 patients; 40.3% vs 17.6% abstinence (P<0.001); improved retention (P=0.004); 12-week treatment; substances: alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, stimulants

How the study worked

Secondary analysis of a published RCT, excluding patients with opioid use disorder. 399 patients randomized to treatment-as-usual (n=193) or TAU with reduced counseling plus a digital therapeutic providing cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management (n=206) for 12 weeks.

What this study cannot tell us

Secondary analysis excluding OUD patients. Cannot separate effects of the digital therapeutic from the contingency management component. Primary substances not analyzed separately.

How to read the evidence

Secondary analysis of an RCT with meaningful sample size, but cannabis outcomes not reported separately.

When this study was published

Published in 2022

The bigger picture

Digital therapeutics are an emerging field that could transform substance abuse treatment by reaching patients who cannot access traditional programs. This study provides evidence that app-based therapy works for cannabis and other SUDs.

Questions still open

How effective was the digital therapeutic specifically for cannabis use disorder? Would long-term follow-up show sustained abstinence beyond 12 weeks?

Common questions

Can an app help treat cannabis use disorder?

This study found a digital therapeutic delivering cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management more than doubled abstinence rates for substance use disorders including cannabis. However, cannabis-specific results were not reported separately.

How did the digital therapy work?

The app provided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management (rewards for meeting goals). Even with reduced in-person counseling, the digital group had better abstinence and treatment retention.

Read the original research

Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance use disorder: Secondary analysis of data from a NIDA clinical trials network study.

Substance abuse, 43(1), 937-942

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Maricich, Yuri A; Nunes, Edward V; Campbell, Aimee N C; Botbyl, Jeffrey D; Luderer, Hilary F. (2022). Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance use disorder: Secondary analysis of data from a NIDA clinical trials network study.. Substance abuse, 43(1), 937-942. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2022.2060425