Mobile application recovery support for patients with an alcohol use disorder. Acceptance, usability, and perceived helpfulness

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of patients of abstinence-oriented treatment programs, who were using a mobile application (mWSPARCIE) after completing a 6-week inpatient treatment program, and to assess its role as a tool supporting the process of recovery initiated in the treatment facility. Methods: Telephone in-depth interviews were conducted after six months of application use among a convenience sample of former patients of the inpatient treatment (n = 33). Transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed and coded sentence-by-sentence. The coding procedure allowed researchers to establish the main analytical categories. Results: Most respondents did not install the application or did not use it despite installing it, due to individual preferences and needs as well as to technical limitations. However, two thirds of the respondents who downloaded the application, used it on a regular basis, and four out of five considered it helpful in their recovery process. The application was used primarily for self-observation, allowing subjects to monitor their abstinence as well as the frequency and intensity of their alcohol craving. Conclusions: Acceptance of mHealth is low among patients of abstinence-oriented treatment programs. Therefore, this is clearly not a solution for all patients, because of individual preferences and needs as well as technical and financial barriers. However for those who use it, the tested application was an attractive source of additional support, a tool to maintain the motivation to change and to monitor abstinence and craving during the six months following their completion of treatment.