{"News":[{"NewsId":107,"Title":"Mount Grace for Women Recovery Center Recognized as a National Center of Excellence","Summary":"Center wins best mobile engagement among 200 U.S-based programs within the Sober Peer network","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/img.einpresswire.com\/medium\/348031\/tcla.png","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TX, USA, September 1, 2022 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ -- Mount Grace for Women<\/a> has been named one of the top faith-based treatment centers within the Sober Peer<\/a> Behavioral Health Network of national organizations dedicated to helping people with life-controlling behavioral and mental health issues. The designation of Mount Grace as a Center of Excellence is based on 22 operational, financial, and client engagement metrics that drive effectiveness and impact. This certification helps donors make responsible, data-driven decisions that support philanthropic investments in sustainable programs.
\n
\nPart of Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge and located in Winnfield, Louisiana, Mount Grace focuses on Christian, residential-based guidance for young people and adults who are struggling with life-controlling issues. The program maintains an average of 30 enrolled clients at any given time.
\n
\n“This place is amazing! I loved it there, and it taught me who God made me to be,” said Christy Taylor, a former Mount Grace for Women resident. “I now live addiction free and [am] serving the Lord. I made a lot of great memories and made long-lasting relationships with some amazing people!”
\n
\nSober Peer also noted the Mount Grace program boasts an exceptionally high completion rate nearly double other programs of its kind while maintaining an affordable cost of care for clients who complete the program, comparably speaking. They are also a leader in using digital tools for improving communication, client education, and support.
\n
\n“We’re grateful for the tool of Sober Peer here at Mount Grace for Women. It has enhanced not only our inpatient program, but our aftercare as well. We’re able to stay directly connected to the students in the third phase of our program through Sober Peer, and it also keeps a coach readily available to them,” said Mount Grace for Women Director Jessica Arcement. “At Mount Grace, we feel connection to a support system is one of the keys to living a drug free life, and Sober Peer is the tool that has connected us to them directly. We are grateful for Sober Peer!”
\n
\nOther noteworthy programs in the Sober Peer Network for innovation in mobile engagement include the Salvation Army of Detroit, MI, and Helping Up Mission located in Baltimore, MD, which are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively among 200 U.S. based programs measured by Sober Peer. Salvation Army and Helping Up Mission have had significant success with community-based care utilizing Sober Peer’s state-of-the-art augmented digital health tools to enhance the client experience and extend long-term engagement past initial treatment. These two organizations now monitor and analyze real-time, 24-7 patient data where specialists have access to the most in-depth client information available, which gives them more ways to predict and react to a client’s needs.
\n
\nAccording to Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s Chief Operating Officer, “Mount Grace has managed to enhance their client experience by engaging them with Sober Peer’s Digital Health toolsets using targeted posts, group and individual chats and by responding to client comments at a disciplined and higher rate of client interaction than most programs. That contributed to superior outcome results from a well-run program that sees value in process measurement.”
\n
\nOn track to collect more than 1 billion patient health signals in 2022, the Sober Peer Network now averages 1 million uses per month as it continues to help treatment centers and ministry programs around the world innovate and realize better outcomes for their clients and members.
\n
\nAbout Sober Peer: Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology<\/a> companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. Its technology supports after care managed services and measures, predicts and prescribes optimum treatment modalities across all treatment workflows in behavioral health. Its next generation digital platform uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics extensively to improve treatment insight, patient engagement and outcomes for persons suffering from life-controlling mental health-related issues. The company ranks in the top five behavioral health companies for the lowest cost of customer engagement and in invested return-on-equity making it one of the most efficient and effective solutions in behavioral mental health. It currently ranks 6th among the Big 30 mental health applications in monthly recurring customers.
\n
\nAbout Mount Grace for Women Recovery Center: Mount Grace for Women Recovery Center is part of Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge focusing on faith-based residential treatment for women who struggle with life-controlling issues. Mount Grace programs range from 12 to 18 months and include group studies, projects, educational and recreational opportunities. Programs aim to produce graduates who are productive members of society with healthy relationships in their family, at work and in the community. Adult & Teen Challenge USA operates based on a faith-based model of substance use recovery in order to help individuals become strong mentally, emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore
\nSober Peer
\n+1 972-842-4912<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"08-Sep-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-09-08","LikeCount":72,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":106,"Title":"Best Startup Texas names Sober Peer a Top 101 healthcare startup","Summary":"Leader in mental and behavioral healthcare recognized for innovative augmented health technology, data collection","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/crunchbase-production\/image\/upload\/c_lpad,f_auto,q_auto:eco,dpr_1\/y4v1kuuw5aqtyut5gocq","HtmlContent":"

Global behavioral science company Sober Peer continues to be recognized for its groundbreaking augmented digital health technology that is revolutionizing the healthcare industry for patients and providers.<\/p>\n\n

After reviewing over 100,000 companies, Best Startup Texas has named Sober Peer one of the Top 101 healthcare startups in the state for its significant contribution to the mental and behavioral health industries. Sober Peer utilizes high-frequency patient data and state-of-the-art augmented digital health technology to help providers gain more insight into patient health, provide precision care and produce better outcomes.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer’s Founder, Ed DeShields explains, “Healthcare is undergoing a fundamental infrastructure change from a B-to-B model to a B-to-C model. The patient is going to have more and more control because 75% of new data collected will come from the patient reporting it remotely and get rewarded for doing so. We’re in a race to ensure that augmented intelligence makes healthcare work better for the patient and the provider.”<\/p>\n\n

Tracking more than 100,000 startups in the state, Best Startup Texas<\/a> highlights noteworthy organizations, founders and employees. Sober Peer was chosen as one of the Top 101 healthcare startups based on its track record, executive leadership, market share, innovation and ESG rating.<\/p>\n\n

As a 3rd Generation EHR platform, Sober Peer will collect and analyze more than 2.4 million patient health signals in 2022. It is one of the fastest-growing behavioral science technologies available and is capable of supporting long-term treatment for entire populations of patients.<\/p>\n\n

While the Company has a proud Texas heritage it has moved quickly into other markets around the world. It's recent announcement to construct a new Innovation TechHub to serve the European market from Bratislava, Slovakia will where it will build AIoT devices. <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"18-Aug-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-08-18","LikeCount":90,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":105,"Title":"Adult and Teen Challenge Pacific Northwest’s partnership with Sober Peer ‘a dream come true’","Summary":"Global behavioral science company and industry leader, Sober Peer has finalized a long-term agreement with provider Teen Challenge Pacific Northwest","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/img.einpresswire.com\/medium\/331860\/teen-challenge-logo.png","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TX, USA, July 26, 2022 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ -- Global behavioral science company and industry leader in augmented digital health solutions, Sober Peer<\/a> has finalized a long-term agreement to support clinical and non-clinical care through its vertically-integrated platform across the full continuum of care for mental and addiction health treatment provider Adult and Teen Challenge Pacific Northwest<\/a> (ATCPNW).
\n
\nSober Peer analyzes more than 2.4 million days of behavioral health data annually by observing patient recovery in real time. Its science has proven that remote patient mental and behavioral health management is both effective and efficient by using a robust clinical EMR and integrated Revenue Cycle Management. Addiction is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted approach to treatment, and Sober Peer’s augmented digital health technology uses AI neural networks, machine learning and proprietary evidence-based methods for collecting and interpreting large data to help providers like ATCPNW improve patient outcomes.
\n
\n“Working with Sober Peer is a wonderful, collaborative experience that translates our dreams for improved care into better outcomes for each client,” said Brian Nelson, chief operating officer at ATCPNW. “
\n
\nBased in Milwaukie, Oregon, ATCPNW operates multiple outpatient clinical substance use and mental health programs and has 14 residential campuses in the 5 states they serve. By partnering with Sober Peer, ATCPNW can address the growing addiction epidemic faster and smarter with individual and group therapy using evidence-based treatment that helps form healthy lifestyle habits and establish skills to be productive in society.
\n
\n“ATCPNW has a national reputation for finding new and better ways to help individuals face and conquer their life-controlling issues. It’s been a joy to help them implement that vision via the Sober Peer platform,” said Mark Cole, chief operating officer at Sober Peer. “Thought leaders like ATCPNW are dramatically raising the bar on how we improve treatment outcomes and support lasting change for the individuals and families they serve.”
\n
\nWith support from Sober Peer, ATCPNW is tackling addiction and mental health using augmented digital health solutions that give counselors a deeper understanding of behavior and enables them to use in-depth, real-time data to provide precision care and improve patient outcomes.
\n
\n###
\n
\nAbout Sober Peer: Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology<\/a> companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. Its technology supports after care managed services that measures, predicts and prescribes optimum treatment modalities across all treatment workflows in behavioral health. Its Web3 enabled digital platform uses augmented intelligence and predictive analytics extensively to improve treatment insight, patient engagement and outcomes for persons suffering from life-controlling mental health-related issues. The company ranks first among the top behavioral health companies for the lowest cost of customer engagement and in invested return-on-equity making it one of the most efficient and effective solutions in behavioral mental health. It currently ranks fourth among the Big 30 mental health applications in monthly reoccurring customers.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore
\nSober Peer
\n+1 972-842-4912<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"29-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-29","LikeCount":68,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":103,"Title":"Machine Learning: High Frequency Data for the greater good","Summary":"By using “Big” data and the “Right” data, Sober Peer reduces the cost of addiction care by maximizing completion rates of treatment programs and eliminating barriers to treatment across patient groups.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/326461\/pexels-photo-326461.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=2","HtmlContent":"

The amount of medical knowledge in the world is expected to double by 2025. So, how can insurers, providers and patients harness that data to get better care at a lower cost?<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer, a global behavioral science company, is able to fast-track high-frequency, 24-7 analysis of patient data and give providers tools to make automated and augmented decisions. Through in-depth analysis of patient responses to specific treatments, providers can predict the effectiveness of future care across large groups of patients and can actually nudge patients to make better choices and live healthier lives.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer enables reinforcement learning, or nudging, as the platform learns patient habits. Providers can use high-frequency data analysis to provide reinforcement signals or nudge patients into better choices, better habits and better outcomes.<\/p>\n\n

By using “Big” data and the “Right” data, Sober Peer reduces the cost of addiction care by maximizing completion rates of treatment programs and eliminating barriers to treatment across patient groups.<\/p>\n\n

High-frequency, 24-7 patient data can make it easier for payers and providers to identify what treatment works for some patients and not others. <\/p>\n\n

Once the question of, “Does this treatment work?” is answered, it can be administered to patients who will benefit and alternative care can be designed for patients who would not.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"21-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-21","LikeCount":440,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":104,"Title":"Why the New Internet will reward patients for success and improve Behavioral Health","Summary":"By allowing users to own their digital assets, Web3 platforms like Sober Peer foster a psychological sense of ownership that helps patients feel invested in treatment.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/196655\/pexels-photo-196655.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=2","HtmlContent":"

The next phase of the internet, known as Web3 or Web 3.0, is vastly different from the current Web 2.0 model that exploits users for data and money. <\/p>\n\n

Instead, Web3 will supports platforms and communities built around common interests and goals. In this new version of the internet, open platforms share value directly with users because users, not the platform itself (i.e. Facebook, Google etc.), own their data and any content they create. <\/p>\n\n

By allowing users to own their digital assets, Web3 platforms like Sober Peer foster a psychological sense of ownership that helps patients feel invested in treatment. In a way, users of Web3 platforms develop a sense of community similar to fans of a sports team which leads to higher engagement from users.<\/p>\n\n

This “shared value” model also requires a platform to incentivize users to use the platform by sharing ownership using things like cryptocurrency or non-fungible tokens. Shared ownership helps incentivize user contribution and engagement and lead to longterm community growth.<\/p>\n\n

Entrenched “big tech” companies aggregate and host user data with complete control — not sharing it with other platforms or giving users access. Meanwhile, Web3 platforms like Sober Peer rely on public blockchain technology to store data and make it portable meaning users can pick up and leave anytime they want and bring their data with them.<\/p>\n\n

Mutual interest between platform and user allows Sober Peer to maximize user engagement and compile high-frequency patient data 24-7. The platform then identifies patterns in patient behavior, reinforces good behavior and prompts providers if a patient may be at risk.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"21-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-21","LikeCount":513,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":90,"Title":"What can FinTech teach Behavioral Health?","Summary":"Sober Peer, a global behavioral science company, uses 24-7 patient data collection to identify patterns in patient behavior and allow providers to nudge patients toward better decisions.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/186461\/pexels-photo-186461.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=2","HtmlContent":"

The idea of a credit score is revolutionary in its ability to make credit available to everyone. With an algorithm that calculates a single score based on thousands of consumer spending habits, financial institutions have the ability to determine a customer’s risk without that customer ever walking through the door.<\/p>\n\n

In the same way, vast repositories of health care data can give providers and insurers the ability to auto-underwrite patient risk and provide better care at a lower cost. If a payer understands the health history and associated risk of a patient before treatment is provided, they can look at a population of people and prioritize spending with value-based care.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer, a global behavioral science company, uses 24-7 patient data collection to identify patterns in patient behavior and allow providers to nudge patients toward better decisions. As patients are nudged more and more by automated functions like appointment reminders and daily surveys, they develop better habits and healthier lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n

Many payers do not have the ability to collect real-time data or assess patient risk and make calculations based on historical claim and pricing data, which is akin to looking in the rear view mirror. At the same time, health care providers rely on episodic care that leaves gaps in information.<\/p>\n\n

As granular data is collected 24-7, a longitudinal patient history begins to emerge with the help of thousands of patient health data points. The Sober Peer model informs providers and payers with not just ‘big’ data but the right data, which arms providers with tools to save lives.<\/p>\n\n

By using this new democratized view of health care, millions of data points and associated outcomes work in unison to provide a much deeper understanding of patient health habits. The end result is a model of shared risk between payer and provider and one that inherently supports value-based payments, as both parties seek the most effective treatment for the patient’s health.<\/p>\n\n

Using the right data to assess and stratify risk are some of the big lessons thought leaders in healthcare are taking from the FinTech industry in order to create a more equitable health care system that is accessible to all.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"20-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-20","LikeCount":520,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":91,"Title":"Can more virtual IOP programs improve patient outcomes?","Summary":"By analyzing 24-7 data about the habits of IOP patients, health care providers are smarter in their decision making and deliver better care at a lower cost.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/7643896\/pexels-photo-7643896.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=2","HtmlContent":"

Traditionally, intensive outpatient treatment creates barriers for patients, such as cost and time. But, the health care industry and behavioral health are changing, as IOP and other treatments shift to a virtual format that is more convenient and prioritizes patient privacy.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer, a global behavioral science company, is compiling 24-7 patient health data to give providers an in-depth analysis of patient health that allows them to nudge patients toward better decision making and a healthier lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n

By analyzing 24-7 data about the habits of IOP patients, health care providers are smarter in their decision making and deliver better care at a lower cost.<\/p>\n\n

With the use of Tech Enhanced Human Services like Sober Peer, or services that integrate technology with human expertise, the effectiveness of virtual IOP dramatically increases by providing more personalized treatment for patients. <\/p>\n\n

Studies show, in addition to attending more treatment sessions than their in-person counterparts, virtual IOP patients and those transitioning to virtual IOP discharge against medical advice at lower rates. As patients stay engaged with the Sober Peer platform, providers can track patient outcomes for the duration of their treatment, whether they are current patients or alumni.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer encourages patient engagement while recording a constant stream of quantitative data that lets providers anticipate and react with appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"20-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-20","LikeCount":76,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":102,"Title":"Sober Peer, BurstiQ aim to transform aging Health Tech industry to Web3 Digital Health","Summary":"Emerging cultural transformation from out-dated Health Tech to Digital Health","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/img.einpresswire.com\/medium\/327690\/sober-peer.png","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TX, USA, July 15, 2022 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ -- Sober Peer<\/a>, a leader in the behavioral science platforms for mental and addictive health has entered into an agreement with BurstIQ<\/a>, a provider of blockchain-enabled data solutions for the healthcare industry.
\n
\nThis agreement will support Sober Peer’s Web3 ready platform for use in precision medicine, augmented intelligence, digital-twin diagnostic support and payment tokenization that rewards behavior change among its patient population while providing continuous care.
\n
\nContinuous care means physicians, patients and payers will share real time access to a new kind of augmented data resulting in better diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental health issues. Continuous, personalized care over a long period of time develops a patient life-long record and enables doctors to use digital twins of patients, or virtual healthcare replicants, to diagnose and treat illnesses with precision medicine.
\n
\n“Partnering with Sober Peer really supports our mission to make the world a healthier place. Our technology will help Sober Peer securely manage the sensitive data required to accurately represent patients’ digital twins, instilling a necessary layer of trust to the digital patient experience,” said Frank Ricotta, CEO & Founder of BurstIQ.
\n
\nIn addition, blockchain technology enables a secure system for data sharing between patients, doctors, and insurers. This allows patients to have more control over their own health data and makes it easier for them to share information with providers.
\n
\nSober Peer is considered one of the world’s most advanced augmented intelligence solutions. Through its use of AI neural networks, machine learning and its proprietary evidence-based methods for collecting and interpreting large data, the company helps healthcare providers improve patient outcomes.
\n
\n“BurstIQ’s capability is impressive. Moving our digital health platform onto the blockchain ensures we will continue to lead the market in decentralizing the control and decision-making for a new type of data to support precision medicine. Our world-wide customer base needs secure, patient-centric data for better outcome decisions where patients and providers share the same information and both are rewarded for collaborating with its use,” said Ed DeShields<\/a>, Founder and President of Sober Peer.
\n
\nBy incorporating augmented intelligence such as edge devices, IoT devices, and blockchain technology into their practice, professionals can obtain a much deeper understanding of patient behavior and mental state. This information can then be used to provide more effective treatment plans that improve the quality of life for both the patient and provider.
\n
\nSober Peer annually supports 2.4 million days of digital behavioral health recovery. By observing patient recovery in real time, its science has proven that remote patient mental health management is both effective and efficient.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"20-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-20","LikeCount":374,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":88,"Title":"Why Social and Behavioral Data Can Improve Patient Health","Summary":"Sober Peer, a global behavioral health service, converts social and behavioral habits into quantitative data that gives an in-depth understanding of every patient. Each patient can then be nudged in the right direction. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/5217833\/pexels-photo-5217833.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-antoni-shkraba-5217833.jpg&fm=jpg","HtmlContent":"

Can the power of suggestion really change behavior?<\/p>\n\n

By analyzing thousands of the right social and behavioral data points, providers can learn to nudge patients away from risks and bad behaviors. Nudging gives patients access to positive reinforcement and providers knowledge about what treatment is cost-effective.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer, a global behavioral health service, converts social and behavioral habits into quantitative data that gives an in-depth understanding of every patient. Each patient can then be nudged in the right direction. <\/p>\n\n

If a provider can nudge a patient with positive reinforcement or indirect suggestions, they can affect that patient’s decision making, minimize bad habits and help achieve better outcomes.<\/p>\n\n

As social and behavioral data is collected over a longer period of time, providers develop a more complete view of patient health. Social and behavioral factors can affect treatment for any patient, but in-depth social and behavioral data, and the ability to nudge a patient when necessary, can increase the chances of effective treatment. <\/p>\n\n

Instead of relying on bean counting and historical health records, providers can access vital patient information in real-time and make proactive decisions to nudge patients toward healthier outcomes.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"14-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-14","LikeCount":406,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":89,"Title":"Tech Enhanced Human Services promise to change Mental Health Care","Summary":"A recent study by TechCrunch looked at 66 startups operating as Tech Enhanced Human Services, or services that integrate technology with human expertise. Among the top-five TEHS mental health platforms is Sober Peer, a global leader in behavioral health. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/590022\/pexels-photo-590022.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1","HtmlContent":"

A recent study by TechCrunch looked at 66 startups operating as Tech Enhanced Human Services, or services that integrate technology with human expertise. Among the top-five TEHS mental health platforms is Sober Peer, a global leader in behavioral health. <\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is a leader in behavioral science and uses high-frequency data collection to identify patterns in patient behavior. This 24-7 analysis of patient habits eliminates gaps in care and gives providers the ability to nudge patients toward better decisions. As patients are nudged more and more, they develop better habits which lead to a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n

By definition, TEHS do not compromise the human component of treatment. Instead they use AI, machine learning and other automation tools to supplement human expertise. TEHS like Sober Peer allow health care providers to enhance the quality of care being provided to patients through automated functions like pop-up notifications and reminders that can be used in real-time to reduce patient risk and improve treatment outcomes.<\/p>\n\n

Many mental health-related companies use low-tech tools to match clients with therapists, but Sober Peer utilizes machine learning to identify behavioral habits among individuals and groups of patients. By automating certain tasks during a patient’s time between clinics or therapists, patients receive more care options and better quality care.<\/p>\n\n

Tech-enhanced services like Sober Peer can be seamlessly incorporated into current provider programs and are able to benefit a broader segment of patients prohibited by cost or access to treatment. Cutting-edge TEHS have been proven to help with patient retention by giving providers an increasingly in-depth look into patient outcomes and by eliminating barriers to treatment.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"14-Jul-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-07-14","LikeCount":487,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":83,"Title":"Artificial Intelligence shown to predict and improve Chronic Substance Use Recovery Outcomes","Summary":"Behavioral science company, Sober Peer, has introduced new artificial intelligence enhancements to its digital remote patient monitoring platform. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/8386440\/pexels-photo-8386440.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-tara-winstead-8386440.jpg&fm=jpg","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA, February 10, 2022 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ --<\/strong> <\/strong>Behavioral science company, Sober Peer, has introduced new artificial intelligence enhancements to its digital remote patient monitoring platform. The technology helps health care solve the most pressing issue of treating chronic users of alcohol and other drug use.<\/p>\n\n

Artificial intelligence in health care is a promising new technology where the Company has made significant investments in patient centered outcomes<\/a>. Patients with chronic behavioral health issues consistently have better outcomes when frequent interventions are possible. But deciding when and which interventions are made has plagued the treatment industry for decades. Machine learning is used to establish the best treatment for each individual patient and the algorithms help determine which habits lead to the best quality of life.<\/p>\n\n

Patient centered outcomes have become a central theme necessary to reduce the cost of chronic behavioral health. Payers are increasingly pressing providers to assume more risks associated with patient results and do so at less cost. Understanding which behavior produces better outcomes make artificial intelligence technologies a key tool for the future of clinical healthcare. <\/p>\n\n

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recently reinforced this strategy with it’s Refresh Innovation Center Strategy<\/a>. Part of its issues and challenges state that “tools to support transformation in care delivery can assist providers in assuming risk”. Instructure to support this inevitable systemic change is here now with Sober Peer’s new enhancements. <\/p>\n\n

About Sober Peer:<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. It provides real time, continuous outcome measurement for mental health and substance use cases over long periods of time. Daily behavioral accountability outcomes help care teams intervene with personal and responsive corrective care. Sober Peer manages 1.6 million patient outcome days annually to its members in five countries.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer<\/p>\n\n

+1 972-842-4912<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-Feb-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-02-10","LikeCount":1639,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":87,"Title":"Sober Peer Oversees Record 1,000,000 Behavioral Therapy Days in FY2021","Summary":"Sober Peer has managed services for over 1,000,000 days of therapy to 9,700 patients through its network in the United States.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/7173026\/pexels-photo-7173026.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7173026.jpg&fm=jpg","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA, January 12, 2022 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ -- <\/strong>Sober Peer, the after-care behavioral treatment platform, announced its FY 2021 results having managed services for over 1,000,000 days of therapy to 9,700 patients through its network in the United States. <\/p>\n\n

“A million therapy days – which said another way is 2,740 years of service in a single year - is an incredible accomplishment for our relatively young company and our strategic partners who support us,” said Ed DeShields, President of Sober Peer<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

The company also announced that it posted record new provider engagements in five countries. Sober Peer, a new entrant into the behavioral health tech space, has posted an impressive performance in providing deep after-care outcome support for specialized treatment services – a significant outcomes gap in the recovery treatment industry. <\/p>\n\n

“More importantly, patients who received longer treatment care through Sober Peer performed significantly better than those who do not”, said Mark Cole the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Recovery counselors gained deeper insight from an artificial intelligence-driven behavioral science provided by the platform where interactions with patients showed double-digit increases for 11 straight quarters since the company’s inception. <\/p>\n\n

The company plans to expand its United States footprint in 2022 while targeting 100 new installs in its aggressive international market investments. CEO Ed DeShields added, “You’ll see us using our scale and tech stack to go global while growing locally and announce a major new product category delivery in the Q3, 2022.” <\/p>\n\n

About Sober Peer:<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. Its technology supports after-care managed services that measure, predict and prescribe optimum treatment modalities across all treatment workflows in behavioral health. Its next-generation digital platform<\/a> uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics extensively to improve treatment insight, patient engagement, and outcomes for persons suffering from life-controlling mental health-related issues. The company ranks in the top five behavioral health companies for the lowest cost of customer engagement and in invested return-on-equity making it one of the most efficient and effective solutions in behavioral mental health. It currently ranks twelfth among the Big 30 mental health applications in monthly reoccurring customers.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer<\/p>\n\n

+1 972-342-491<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"12-Jan-2022","DatePublishedForSort":"2022-01-12","LikeCount":1053,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":86,"Title":"Sober Peer Gathers World Behavioral Health Leaders for Summit","Summary":"Sober Peer, the very large-scale behavioral treatment platform (VLSP) gathered its worldwide user group leaders today to discuss its key global initiatives to bring behavioral health care to its seven global regions.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/5137785\/pexels-photo-5137785.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-cottonbro-5137785.jpg&fm=jpg","HtmlContent":"

COLUMBUS, GA, USA, December 8, 2021 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ -- <\/strong>Sober Peer, the very large-scale behavioral treatment platform (VLSP) gathered its worldwide user group leaders today to discuss its key global initiatives to bring behavioral health care to its seven global regions. The group’s strategic goal is to put “Hope Within Reach of Every Person” needing help with a behavioral health issue. The initiative has gained impressive momentum since its launch in 2017 where it began with a small pilot program in the U.S.A. <\/p>\n\n

Sixty regional directors from Eurasia, Latin and South America, Europe, Southern Asia, Canada, and the United States attended the summit representing some 1,400 care locations in 144 countries who have adopted Sober Peer’s new precision behavioral health technology platform. Today’s summit is a precursor to next year’s world user group conference which is expected to draw several thousand platform users. The summit will be held in July 2022 in Dallas\/Ft. Worth, Texas USA. <\/p>\n\n

The group discussed its ongoing strategic global initiative and its results from the implementation of precision behavioral health systems for large populations within these emerging markets. “Particular interest was given to examining our regional outcome and program performance in this culturally diverse population where our mobile-enabled technologies promise to close the gap to care availability”, said Sober Peer President, Ed DeShields. <\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer’s global initiative is expected to take five years to complete its initial installation footprint where 1,400 care locations have made commitments to the platform. Its mobile-enabled platform allows global markets to move quickly due to the complex nature of geography, regulatory barriers, and lack of existing behavioral health technologies necessary to ensure better outcomes for patients. In the 4th quarter, 2021, the company registered its intent to operate its network in Denmark, Poland, Austria, Albania, Finland, Norway, Slovenia, Magdalena, Czech Republic, Bosnia, Montenegro, Portugal, Bulgaria, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Lithuania, Belgium, and Georgia. <\/p>\n\n

About Sober Peer:<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. Its very large-scale technology platform (VLSP) measures, predicts, and prescribes optimum treatment modalities across all treatment workflows in behavioral health. Its next-generation digital platform uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics extensively to improve treatment insight, patient engagement, and outcomes for persons suffering from life-controlling mental health-related issues. The company ranks in the top five behavioral health companies for the lowest cost of customer engagement and in invested return-on-equity making it one of the most efficient and effective solutions in behavioral mental health. It currently ranks twelfth among the Big 30 mental health applications in monthly reoccurring customers.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer<\/p>\n\n

+1 972-342-4912<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"08-Dec-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-12-08","LikeCount":895,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":85,"Title":"Sober Peer Continues March Through Behavioral Health EHR Market","Summary":"Company Realizes Strong Performance in New Installations","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/5137953\/pexels-photo-5137953.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-cottonbro-5137953.jpg&fm=jpg","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA, November 24, 2021 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ --<\/strong> Sober Peer today announced that it has brought 162 new installations of its new behavioral science outcomes platform online during 2021. Virtually all of its new customers in the behavioral health space, including substance use treatment providers, have migrated from traditional electronic health record platforms to Sober Peer’s precision health strategy. <\/p>\n\n

The company is displacing its competitors at a rate originally unimaginable, says its founder and behavioral designer Ed DeShields. With almost five decades of behavior design for some 240 companies, DeShields has been able to capitalize on that expertise to help solve a growing mental health and substance use problem. <\/p>\n\n

In addition to its traditional U.S. footprint, new bookings include customers in in Canada, Romania, Australia, Puerto Rico and Granada. The company intends to continue its U.S. penetration but it has a particular interest globally where it has accumulated advance, language specific, orders in twelve additional countries including Central and South America, India, Africa and Eurasia. <\/p>\n\n

Fundamental to Sober Peer’s growth is its unique approach to mental health and substance use treatment outcomes science. Unlike the EHR-driven models where therapeutic solutions are largely limited by what is allowed to be billed from formula-centric treatment plans, Sober Peer uses its very large-scale platform (VLSP) to collect millions of finely-tuned data signals from patients about their day-to-day behavior. <\/p>\n\n

Signaling, as Sober Peer describes it, are sub-conscience triggers collected directly from patients — for instance, actions such as showing up for work on time — that form positive or negative patterns. When those are determined to belong to a pleasure or pain response, Sober Peer’s technology logic translates them into habit patterns that correlate with substance use, or any other behavior. That behavior forms a uniquely descriptive picture of the patient a therapist can easily understand.<\/p>\n\n

So far, Sober Peer has identified a few hundred common patterns among its thousands of active patients. But, many more are yet to be discovered. For example, certain cohorts may have a particular combination of factors that show a very low chance of a positive outcome in a program. DeShields says, “think of an EHR as a thermometer and Sober Peer’s behavioral data equivalent to an MRI. That’s a magnitude of difference in fidelity that can predict how likely a patient will succeed or fail with their treatment plan. You’re no longer guessing how a patient will respond to a particular treatment. You know.” <\/p>\n\n

The company believes this precision treatment promises to make EHR templates a thing of the past. Consequently, the company doesn’t see its competition as the electronic healthcare records market despite the comparison often made. DeShields adds, “If we to continue to see success we’ll naturally render the EHR market obsolete. The current state-of-technology is simply too inefficient to be sustainable as poor outcomes and high costs of care continue to rise. The EHR’s fundamental nature is accounting for episodic care and does little to change the outcomes of a patient who needs behavioral health change for a life-controlling issue over time.” Precision treatment, Sober Peer style, can enable more patients to receive care at home, in their community for as long as needed.<\/p>\n\n

Finally, DeShields says, “Therapists aren’t equipped with the right data or tools to understand the patient deeply -- and the industry understands that not-so-talked-about secret. It’s holding care back. But until now, there hasn’t been an alternative. That’s driving our success.” <\/p>\n\n

About Sober Peer:<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. Its very large-scale technology platform (VLSP) measures, predicts and prescribes optimum treatment modalities across all treatment workflows in behavioral health. Its next generation digital platform uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics extensively to improve treatment insight, patient engagement and outcomes for persons suffering from life-controlling mental health-related issues. The company ranks in the top five behavioral health companies for the lowest cost of customer engagement and in invested return-on-equity making it one of the most efficient and effective solutions in behavioral mental health. It currently ranks twelfth among the Big 30 mental health applications in monthly reoccurring customers.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer<\/p>\n\n

+1 972-342-4912<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"24-Nov-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-11-24","LikeCount":625,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":84,"Title":"Sober Peer Amasses Mega-Study Phase II Behavioral Health Trial","Summary":"Invitation-only clinical trial attracts treatment providers in 42 U.S. states and 5 countries.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/6801648\/pexels-photo-6801648.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-anna-nekrashevich-6801648.jpg&fm=jpg","HtmlContent":"

DALLAS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2021 \/EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ -- <\/strong>Sober Peer, the very large-scale behavioral treatment platform (VLSP) announced it has enrolled 162 treatment providers to study long-term outcomes for substance use and mental health disorders. The program, known by scientists as a behavioral “Mega-Study” is the largest known collaboration of its kind.<\/p>\n\n

In its Phase II trial, the collaboration tests the efficacy or effectiveness of various therapies on many participants (+6,000) over a one-year period. During the study, decisions are made on approaches that will advance to later, more advanced stage trials within a larger population (+25,000).<\/p>\n\n

Prior trials evidenced significant long-term improvements in twelve primary categories of behavior including a 114% increase from baseline within six months and a 320% improvement within 360 days after the initial treatment period. It also identified unique patient identifiers that strongly predicted failure and success among the programs examined when enhanced with artificial intelligence technologies. Results are collected real-time from Sober Peer’s treatment platform prior to, during and in after-care environments using its robust technology stack.<\/p>\n\n

The study cohort consists of many population segments from individuals, treatment providers, correction and parole communities, drug and diversion courts, colleges and universities, native populations and non-traditional service providers including state and local government.<\/p>\n\n

(For more information on how to be included in the trial click here.)<\/a><\/p>\n\n

About Sober Peer:<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is among the fastest-growing behavioral science technology companies serving the mental health and substance use healthcare market. Its very large-scale technology platform (VLSP) measures, predicts and prescribes optimum treatment modalities across all treatment workflows in behavioral health. Its next generation digital platform uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics extensively to improve treatment insight, patient engagement and outcomes for persons suffering from life-controlling mental health-related issues. The company ranks in the top five behavioral health companies for the lowest cost of customer engagement and in invested return-on-equity making it one of the most efficient and effective solutions in behavioral mental health. It currently ranks twelfth among the Big 30 mental health applications in monthly reoccurring customers.<\/p>\n\n

J.C. Skidmore<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer<\/p>\n\n

+1 972-842-4912<\/p>\n\n

jc@soberpeer.com<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"21-Nov-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-11-21","LikeCount":316,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":82,"Title":"How A Bold Texas Behavioral Designer Aims to Disrupt the Mental Health Market In A Not So Quiet Way","Summary":"“We can see it in the data”, DeShields says. The mechanics of behavioral design and mathematics...","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/soberpeer.com\/images\/newtheme\/l1.jpg","HtmlContent":"

Dallas-based behavioral designer Ed DeShields and his team of engineers are impatient. Literally working around the clock from many parts of the world, DeShields and his team are reminded that people are dying because of the poor clinical treatment outcomes among people suffering from life-controlling behavioral health issues. Most cannot get help with treatment. When they do, they rarely succeed long term.<\/p>\n\n

DeShields isn’t a psychologist nor from healthcare. But his life’s work is a remarkable study on how consumers develop or break habits in everyday life. For example, if you’ve consumed a soft drink, a vitamin, applied for a home mortgage or credit card (or 240 other popular product and service categories) you’ve probably encountered a behavior model by this Dallas design engineer.<\/p>\n\n

People associate addiction with a drug or substance but there are two addictions. First, the drug is both physiological addictive but temporary. The other is the psychological hook. DeShields explains, “it’s the same concept where consumers have difficulty eating just one potato chip or why people spend countless hours on social media. There’s a reason narcotics bottles say ‘Caution, this drug may be habit-forming’.” The real solution to better outcomes is addressing the psychological hooks and patterns of habits.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer has shown its approach does just that. But, the science of identifying patterns of behavior and translating them takes a powerful combination of mathematics and data understanding not previously available. Current recovery methods take longer to address complex patient needs than the typical treatment program allows. So Sober Peer allows the healthcare system to treat patients continuously with its sophisticated mobile platform 24 hours per day for as long as it is needed. <\/p>\n\n

“We can see it in the data”, DeShields says. The mechanics of behavioral design and mathematics are entirely predictable and that science model, while common in other industries, is virtually unknown to the therapeutics of substance use. <\/p>\n\n

Precision treatment promises to make EHR treatment templates a thing of the past. Consequently, Sober Peer doesn’t see its competition as the electronic healthcare records market despite the comparison often made. DeShields adds, “we intend to render the EHR market obsolete. The current state-of-technology is simply too inefficient to be sustainable as poor outcomes and high costs of care continue to rise. The EHR’s fundamental nature is accounting for episodic care and does little to change the outcomes of a patient who needs behavioral health change for a life-controlling issue over time.” If the company is right, precision treatment can enable more patients to receive care at home, in their community over as long a period as needed.<\/p>\n\n

Finally, DeShields says, “Therapists aren’t equipped with the right data or tools to understand the patient deeply -- and the industry understands that. But until now, there hasn’t been an alternative. That’s driving our success.” <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"13-Oct-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-10-13","LikeCount":2128,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":80,"Title":"Sober Peer Continues March Through Behavioral Health EHR Market","Summary":"In a little over a year, the behavioral science company Sober Peer is displacing its competitors at a rate originally unimaginable by its founder and behavioral designer Ed DeShields.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/669612\/pexels-photo-669612.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"

In a little over a year, the behavioral science company Sober Peer is displacing its competitors at a rate originally unimaginable by its founder and behavioral designer Ed DeShields. With almost five decades of behavior design for some 240 companies, DeShields is passionate about using that expertise to help solve a growing mental health and substance use problem. When asked how, he’ll tell you he intends to help it; by reinventing how to approach it.<\/p>\n\n

The company’s success has been impressive. When asked how many replacements it’s made, DeShields simply answers, “I’m not keeping count but we’re north of 150 displacements in the last 12 months and we have dozens of installs in our forward-looking book of orders. Those customers are spread all over the world. We’ve got a lot of work to do and are sufficiently capitalized to do it.”<\/p>\n\n

The reason for the rout is fundamental. Sober Peer has taken a unique approach to mental health and substance use treatment. Unlike the EHR driven model where therapeutic solutions are largely limited by what is allowed to be billed from canned formula treatment plans, Sober Peer uses its very large-scale platform (VLSP) to collect millions of finely-tuned data signals from patients about their day-to-day behavior. <\/p>\n\n

Signaling, as Sober Peer describes it, are sub-conscience triggers collected directly from patients — for instance, actions such as showing up for work on time — that form positive or negative patterns. When those are determined to belong to a pleasure or pain response, Sober Peer’s technology logic translates them into habit patterns that correlate with substance use, or any other behavior. That behavior is mapped onto a ledger known as a “Time Travel” record forming a uniquely descriptive picture of the patient a therapist can easily understand.<\/p>\n\n

This precision treatment promises to make EHR templates a thing of the past. Consequently, Sober Peer doesn’t see its competition as the electronic healthcare records market despite the comparison often made. DeShields adds, “If we to continue to see success we’ll naturally render the EHR market obsolete. The current state-of-technology is simply too inefficient to be sustainable as poor outcomes and high costs of care continue to rise. The EHR’s fundamental nature is accounting for episodic care and does little to change the outcomes of a patient who needs behavioral health change for a life-controlling issue over time.” Precision treatment, Sober Peer style, can enable more patients to receive care at home, in their community over as long a period as needed.<\/p>\n\n

But that’s not all the company is reinventing. A deeper dive studies the context of twelve underlying categories of behavior; that are then scored. A ledger can be secured into a blockchain-enabled patient record where the patient’s information is portable and allow payers to set pre-payment benefit and outcome rules. Sober Peer then tracks outcomes as proof of performance and payments are released according to contract terms. Thus, a patient, payer and provider can all be on the same page about what recovery performance looks like. <\/p>\n\n

The company has funded its effort entirely through its sales, has no debt and hasn’t yet entered the capital markets. But, with a pre-money valuation approaching $100 million and its strong order board it’s likely the behavioral healthcare market is going to be seeing a lot more Sober Peer and a lot fewer EHR competitors.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-Oct-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-10-10","LikeCount":1433,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":81,"Title":"Sober Peer surpasses CDC’s Health Survey as the largest behavior data set ever created","Summary":"Sober Peer, the very large scale, deep analytic engine of the behavioral health industry has surpassed its founder’s original vision — to become the largest longitudinal behavioral data set ever created","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/1181354\/pexels-photo-1181354.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"

Sober Peer, the very large scale, deep analytic engine of the behavioral health industry has surpassed its founder’s original vision — to become the largest longitudinal behavioral data set ever created. The announcement was made to a group of users during its global advisory board conference in Sea Island, Georgia where the company demonstrated the size and fidelity of its offering.<\/p>\n\n

In just 24 months, the company now collects a staggering deep data set exceeding 10 million annual behavioral survey inquiries — and millions more real time signals flowing in from its mobile-enabled population. The company now has a presence in five nations with a population specifically exhibiting mental health or substance use risk.<\/p>\n\n

The company has had its eye on the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) historic claim as the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world with its 400,000 adult interviews each year. “We admire the work the CDC has done in the field for over four decades. They’ve provided valuable information to state and federal governments on epidemiological public health risks that help shape our state strategic plans. However, the fidelity of Sober Peer’s data set is not just bigger but has greater depth that is both predictable and actionable when used for behavior-driven outcomes,” Sober Peer founder Ed DeShields says.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer has taken a vastly different approach to identifying how life-controlling behavioral issues are identified, measured, treated, and predicted. The company focuses on what it has learned during its five decades as a behavioral designer for over 240 companies outside health care. It has spent decades thinking about how populations behave, and that experience helps the engineers at Sober Peer reimagine recovery from life-controlling issues. <\/p>\n\n

The idea for reimagining mental health came from DeShields’ work during the human genome project era. At that time, many companies with large data centers volunteered their excess CPU time to process genome data. For months on end, Peer-to-Peer networks were joined together with each competing with the other for finding a positive gene map. DeShields remembers, “it was so exciting to review the gene correlations report each morning. Our servers might work several days before a significant match was found so when we hit one it was like winning that day’s lottery!” That idea, from twenty years ago, sparked the reimagination of today’s more powerful understanding of today’s problem. <\/p>\n\n

The company has funded its effort entirely through its sales, has no debt and hasn’t yet entered the capital markets. But, with a pre-money valuation approaching $100 million and its strong order board it’s likely the behavioral healthcare market is going to be seeing a lot more Sober Peer.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"06-Oct-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-10-06","LikeCount":1808,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":77,"Title":"College Administrators: Here’s How to Interrupt and Treat a Student’s Risky Substance Use Behavior","Summary":"Risky substance use has always been an issue among college students. But there are systemic reasons that it is continuing to rise.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/6147276\/pexels-photo-6147276.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=750&w=1260","HtmlContent":"

Risky substance use has always been an issue among college students. But there are systemic reasons that it is continuing to rise.<\/p>\n\n

Many 18-25-year-olds have problems adjusting to the stress, anxiety, social pressure, and isolation a campus environment. And while many institutional programs are in place, they often lack coordination and insight into activity and effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n

Recent research indicates approximately 26% of male and 19.2% of female full-time college students report current illicit drug use; roughly 80 percent drink alcohol. In addition, the use of prescription drugs has created an entire new category of substance abuse.<\/p>\n\n

Sober Peer is working closely with universities to help more students conquer their risky substance use behavior and succeed. Our treatment and accountability solution gives students access to a counselor 24\/7, providing the student with continuous care. With a student’s permission, our app collects behavioral information about them, aiding counselors in their treatment plan and shortening their path to recovery.<\/p>\n\n

Our solution can be implemented campus-wide by leveraging a university’s existing resources. For example, direct help for students can be provide in several ways:<\/p>\n\n

\n\t
All students can be introduced to the Sober Peer app in a freshman orientation program. It’s easy to download.<\/li>\n\t
It can be incorporated into campus diversion programs and promoted via social media and hotline resources.<\/li>\n\t
It can be offered in peer and counselor-led small counseling group sessions. And it can be added to health clinic and Emergency Department discharge instructions and follow-up care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
A university’s staff can also be trained to help. Campus law enforcement officers can offer the app as part of any substance-use-related encounters. And training can be offered to resident advisors, counselors, resource officers, and administrative staff.<\/p>\n\n
Other service opportunities can be offered to interns training to work in psychology, medical, nursing, and social services fields. And learning the benefits of the mobile app can be used as a service project among fraternities and sororities, and alumni can be recruited to tell students about their addiction and sobriety journeys.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"06-Jul-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-07-06","LikeCount":457,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":78,"Title":"Here Are the Benefits to Students and Universities","Summary":"There are significant costs for everyone from increased substance use at any university. Students’ plans for a degree are delayed and they often need financial and legal help during recovery","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
There are significant costs for everyone from increased substance use at any university. Students’ plans for a degree are delayed and they often need financial and legal help during recovery. It can have a long-term impact on their career plans and life in general.<\/p>\n\n
For universities, there are multiple problems. They face reputational and legal risks, as well as lost revenues and increased expenses. In addition, a university with severe issues may experience less support from donors and alumni.<\/p>\n\n
A solution is needed now. Here are the benefits Sober Peer can bring:<\/p>\n\n
For Students <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n\t
We can reach at-risk persons before they intersect with emergency services. This will lead to improved student success rates.<\/li>\n\t
Students maintain 24\/7 connectivity with counselors. The ability to provide continuous care and treatment will produce better outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
For Universities:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s technology platform enables a university system to unify efforts to reduce substance use and help students get back on track. We do this in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Managing the initiative by coordinating our activities with campus leaders and support staff;<\/li>\n\t
Providing a real-time dashboard of activity and Key Performance Indicators;<\/li>\n\t
Using meta data mapping for program development, policy, and epidemiological work + additional data overlays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Want to learn more? Contact J.C. Skidmore at jc@soberpeer.com<\/a> or visit www.soberpeer.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"06-Jul-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-07-06","LikeCount":908,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":74,"Title":"Here’s How Sober Peer’s Remote Patient Monitoring Empowers Patients ","Summary":"It’s been approximately one year since Sober Peer began to rethink how to deliver more frequent patient interaction with its new Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platform. It became clear that chronic “lifestyle diseases” -- behaviorally influenced habits -- needed deep and frequent interaction to discourage relapse events. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
It’s been approximately one year since Sober Peer began to rethink how to deliver more frequent patient interaction with its new Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platform. It became clear that chronic “lifestyle diseases” -- behaviorally influenced habits -- needed deep and frequent interaction to discourage relapse events. This approach requires a different set of mobility-oriented tools not often found in client record-keeping systems.<\/p>\n\n
RPM makes it easier for each patient to have a successful recovery. By collecting data on each patient, they can identify and measure their progress in 12 different types of behavior, including their addiction, and physical and mental health. Each patient sees these results and is empowered to continue making good decisions. In effect, they are providing more of their own self-care.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s approach uses predictive analytics to focus on behavior to treat patients and reduce relapses. Our smart phone app sends Sober Signals™ from the phone to a database that is supported by artificial intelligence programs. These Signals reveal patterns of behavior and sorts them into meaningful, and organized observations for therapists.<\/p>\n\n
Here’s a good example. A person who is an alcoholic can avoid bars they frequent by setting alerts for these locations on their phones. Once they approach these bars, a “triggers” mechanism alerts them and their counselor to avoid them. The counselor will even call the patient to make certain they stay away.<\/p>\n\n
“Technology that empowers self-care also enables clinicians and counselors to monitor a patient’s behavior and intervene when needed; that saves time and makes the process more responsive,” says Ed De Shields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “As a result, patients are finding the shortest path to a successful recovery.” <\/p>\n\n
By connecting with the patient’s smart phone, the app leverages remote patient monitoring, artificial intelligence and data analysis tools to support clinical decision making. Clinicians can monitor patient vital signs remotely and then intervene when needed. The platform is also important as part of an aftercare plan, helping ease patients’ transition from the hospital to their home or a post-acute care facility.<\/p>\n\n
“Our goal is to change the way care is delivered,” DeShields says. “By analyzing data generated by each patient daily, we can intervene and provide immediate treatment.”<\/p>\n\n
It’s also important to realize that recovery doesn’t end when the initial treatment program is completed. Most clinical programs effectively hand their clients over to a “community care” third party, which breaks the cadence of treatment. We believe this approach is the major reason for high to very high relapse rates. <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"16-Jun-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-06-16","LikeCount":2379,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":75,"Title":"Indiana Accountability Court Expands Sober Peer’s Scope","Summary":"Drug offenders in Allen County, Indiana, have been using Sober Peer as part of their recovery for the past year. Recently, however, the state Accountability Court there recently expanded the scope to include Sober Peer’s breathalyzer service for each person participating in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) courts.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Drug offenders in Allen County, Indiana, have been using Sober Peer as part of their recovery for the past year. Recently, however, the state Accountability Court there recently expanded the scope to include Sober Peer’s breathalyzer service for each person participating in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) courts.<\/p>\n\n
Here’s how it works. A participant in the Accountability Court program can be prompted at a predetermined time or asked randomly to take a breathalyzer test on camera. Once prompted, they have 15 minutes to complete the test and their identity is validated using facial authentication. The recording of the test is then stored on the patient’s profile.<\/p>\n\n
“This feature enables counselors and coaches to validate the sobriety of their clients,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “It’s one more way we give providers the ability to better treat their patients.”<\/p>\n\n
The breathalyzer also gives drug courts a new way to monitor the sobriety of their parolees at a distance. Currently, parolees must physically come to a local courthouse or other building to complete a drug test.<\/p>\n\n
For people re-entering society after in-patient services, random alcohol screening is an excellent tool to encourage sobriety as a counselor\/coach can literally have the person breathalyzed every morning and evening or 5 times throughout the day, etc.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"16-Jun-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-06-16","LikeCount":2841,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":76,"Title":"Erica Swan’s Story of Recovery and the Power of Small Groups","Summary":"Erica Swan has suffered from several substance user disorders – alcohol, opioids and cocaine. But by using the Sober Peer app, she is getting the care she needs in the most effective way possible.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Erica Swan has suffered from several substance user disorders – alcohol, opioids and cocaine. But by using the Sober Peer app, she is getting the care she needs in the most effective way possible.<\/p>\n\n
Erica attends a one-hour Small Group session each week on the Sober Peer app. “I found the Small Group strolling through the app, offering a Forgiving Addiction class. I was facing life and no longer in my bubble. I wanted to stay connected to continue to grow and get support.”<\/p>\n\n
By helping her better understand how forgiveness works and can improve her life, Erica believes it’s an easy, but powerful, way to help her through recovery.<\/p>\n\n
“I had stored up resentment in my heart. I blamed my problems on my parents, others, different churches and myself. All of that resentment created a heavy heart and blocked me from having proper relationship with people and God. By understanding this resentment, I could begin to purge it.<\/p>\n\n
“The sessions help process my feelings and begin to heal. Getting those feelings out in the open and forgiving those around me. Not carrying that burden has made a big difference in my life.”<\/p>\n\n
Erica believes she is moving in the right direction. She has a good job, recently bought a house and lives near one of her adult children. The instructor believes Erica can help others, so she’s offered Erica the opportunity to teach a future online class.<\/p>\n\n
“I want to stay connected and continue to grow, and I can do that by helping other people.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"16-Jun-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-06-16","LikeCount":3315,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":71,"Title":"Revenues are Lower, But States Are Treating More People","Summary":"Many states are working hard to keep drug offenders out of prison. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Many states are working hard to keep drug offenders out of prison. The reasons are clear: it simply costs too much money to lock up non-violent offenders, especially when state accountability courts can help them get them back on the right path.<\/p>\n\n
And the numbers back them up. According to the Federal Bureau of Prison’s statistics, of the 168,687 people incarcerated in US federal prisons in October 2018, 77,649 were imprisoned for drug offenses – about 46 percent of all inmates.<\/p>\n\n
To treat people convicted of drug offenses, Sober Peer’s enterprise system can manage the entire treatment process and reach more people in need while reducing labor costs. It is affordable and provides all of the tools needed to help people find the shortest path to recovery.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer measures a patient’s progress in 12 different behaviors every day as part of our “Measures and Milestones” dashboard. By monitoring the dashboard, clinicians can follow a patient’s progress in a wide range of categories, ranging from their Addiction to a patient’s Physical and Mental Health. This data can be used as part of a treatment plan.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"24-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-24","LikeCount":993,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":72,"Title":"Accountability Courts Are Working. A Mobility-Enabled Approach Can Make Them Better","Summary":"More than over 3,000 drug courts are operating throughout the United States, half of which are adult drug courts.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
More than over 3,000 drug courts are operating throughout the United States, half of which are adult drug courts. And they are working.  <\/p>\n\n
In Georgia, from 2012 – 20202, the number of such courts statewide has increased from 72 to 163, with the number of participants growing from about 3,000 to more than 12,000. But Sober Peer can improve this performance while reducing a court’s costs.<\/p>\n\n
Here’s a good example. In many programs, for at <\/em>least two months, a participant must make a weekly court appearance, attend group or individual counseling sessions and submit to random drug tests. They must also search for employment, work toward their GED and remain clean for 30 days.<\/p>\n\n
With Sober Peer’s mobile app, a participate can check in with the court at any time. They can text a counselor for help about any issue 24\/7 during any stage of a person's rehabilitation. Other benefits include the following:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Each person can join an online community of people who are committed to personal development, giving them a 24\/7 community with their peers.<\/li>\n\t
The ability to join online Small Group education, counseling and support sessions to learn how to sustain long-term recovery;<\/li>\n\t
A personal journal to record progress and sharing feelings with a counselor;<\/li>\n\t
A To-Do list of activities associated with treatment are always at their fingertips;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
To find out more about how Sober Peer can help your organization, contact J.C. Skidmore at jc@soberpeer.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"24-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-24","LikeCount":1493,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":73,"Title":"Here’s How Churches Can Help Their Congregations with Sober Peer","Summary":"Every weekend, pastors and chaplains around the nation are called to the home of one of their congregants who has overdosed. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Every weekend, pastors and chaplains around the nation are called to the home of one of their congregants who has overdosed. They offer spiritual guidance and even accompany them to the hospital. But once this person has recovered, they often refuse counseling.<\/p>\n\n
Churches can begin to solve this problem by aligning with Sober Peer. If the church has a program in place to help people with substance use disorders, we can make an important contribution to their recovery. If the church does not have a program, we can help organize and operate it.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s mobile app gives individuals 24\/7 access to a counselor, enabling anyone to conduct online counseling sessions and receive treatment from home.<\/p>\n\n
Other benefits that aid in treatment include:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
A virtual community on our app, allowing people in recovery to speak with each other;<\/li>\n\t
The ability to join an online Small Group counseling session to learn from others in recovery;<\/li>\n\t
A “triggers” feature that alerts addicts to places that could cause them harm, such as taverns, pubs or areas where they previously purchased drugs. Providers, friends and family members can also have access to this feature, helping patients avoid places where they could use drugs and alcohol.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","DatePublished":"24-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-24","LikeCount":1985,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":67,"Title":"Baltimore’s Helping Up Mission Now Using Sober Peer","Summary":"Helping Up Mission (HUM), a Baltimore nonprofit organization that helps people fight addiction and homelessness, will soon begin using Sober Peer to help treat a wide variety of people with substance use disorders.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/www.guidestar.org\/ViewEdoc.aspx?eDocId=5699595&approved=True","HtmlContent":"
Helping Up Mission (HUM), a Baltimore nonprofit organization that helps people fight addiction and homelessness, will soon begin using Sober Peer to help treat a wide variety of people with substance use disorders.<\/p>\n\n
To start, Sober Peer to will help treat and monitor people who have successfully been recovering for at least six months and are moving out of the group’s in-person facility and back into society.<\/p>\n\n
“Sober Peer fits perfectly with HUM’s needs,” said Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operating officer. “We can help people and also monitor their behavior once they leave the in-person treatment facility. We will also enable HUM to continue its treatment by collecting data on client sobriety once clients are released back into Baltimore.”<\/p>\n\n
Once Sober Peer is fully implemented, it will serve four distinct groups:<\/p>\n\n
In Person.<\/strong> For the first 45 days of treatment, people receiving treatment do not have access to their mobile device. During this time, a Sober Peer kiosk at the facility will enable them to connect with their coach, complete daily surveys, keep a digital journal, and lightly interact with the community.<\/p>\n\n
In Person, but Transitioning Out.<\/strong> These people will use Sober Peer in preparation for re-entering the community. They’ll be communicating with their coach via the app, keeping a journal, completing their surveys, and interacting with other members of the community in an effort to develop positive habits for when returning to normal life.<\/p>\n\n
Aftercare.<\/strong> Once a person has returned to society, they will use Sober Peer to connect with their coaches, the community, and hold themselves accountable to staying sober.<\/p>\n\n
Outreach.<\/strong> Using Sober Peer to contact potential patients who are not yet being treated in person at HUM.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer is cost effective for HUM because of the gaps in information about each client’s recovery. It will help them learn a person’s situation and needs before joining HUM in person and staying in contact after they leave.<\/p>\n\n
The data collected by Sober Peer also enables HUM’s management team to assemble data on its clients to show donors it is effectively managing and delivering care.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"17-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-17","LikeCount":2515,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":68,"Title":"Sober Peer Provides Enterprise Solution for Self-Insured Companies","Summary":"Many large US companies are self-insured and struggle with how to help their employees with substance use disorders.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Many large US companies are self-insured and struggle with how to help their employees with substance use disorders. Many refer them to treatment facilities, but the cost of treatment can be prohibitive. In many cases, managers of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are seeing costs rise out of control.<\/p>\n\n
That’s where Sober Peer can help. Our enterprise system can manage the entire treatment process and reach more people in need while reducing labor costs.<\/p>\n\n
“Many companies want to help people recover and become productive employees, but the cost of a private care facility is too high,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “Our enterprise solution is affordable and provides all of the tools needed to help people find the shortest path to recovery.”<\/p>\n\n
Because of the stigma, cost and fear of losing a job, many employees don’t admit that have a substance use disorder. Sober Peer enables any employee to find and connect with a counselor online, eliminating many of the obstacles facing people battling these issues.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"17-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-17","LikeCount":3019,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":69,"Title":"How Our Dashboard Tracks Changes in Behavioral Health, Leading to Better Treatment","Summary":"Sober Peer regularly measures and analyzes scores from 12 cognitive behaviors in each patient, helping healthcare providers and counselors gain valuable insight into each patient. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer regularly measures and analyzes scores from 12 cognitive behaviors in each patient, helping healthcare providers and counselors gain valuable insight into each patient. It’s one of the best ways we have to help people find the shortest path to recovery at the lowest cost.<\/p>\n\n
At one large treatment center in the Northeast, significant increases were registered in three important categories we track. For 42 students during a nine-month period ending on April 5, here are some of our findings:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Independent Living: Scores went from 29.4 to 71.8. a 144 percent increase;<\/li>\n\t
Hope: Scores jumped from 34.8 to 72.3, a 108 percent increase;<\/li>\n\t
Physical Health: Scores rose from 33.5 to 67.9, a 103 percent increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
“When a person has more hope, takes better care of their physical health and becomes independent again, their recovery can occur more quickly and be more sustainable,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operating officer.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"17-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-17","LikeCount":3522,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":64,"Title":"How We Help Patients Find the Shortest Path to Recovery","Summary":"Sober Peer helps people find the shortest path to recovery at the lowest cost.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer helps people find the shortest path to recovery at the lowest cost. We accomplish that objective by regularly measuring and analyzing scores from 12 cognitive behaviors in each patient.<\/p>\n\n
At one large treatment center in the Northeast, significant increases were registered in our dashboard across all 12 categories. For 42x students during a nine-month period ending on April 5, here are some of our findings:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Mental Health: Scores went from 34.7 to 75.7, a 118 percent increase;<\/li>\n\t
Relationships: Scored jumped from 38.3 to 75.6, a 97 percent increase;<\/li>\n\t
Legal: This category showed the highest percentage increase, rising 164 percent, from 28.4 to 76.9.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
The improvement in a patient’s behavior demonstrates how counselors can use information obtained from Sober Peer to better treat them and help people make a sustainable recovery.<\/p>\n\n
“When we see a person’s mental health improve, it follows that they will restart or better connect with family and friends, and be better able to handle any legal issues tied to their substance use disorder,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operating officer.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-10","LikeCount":1021,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":65,"Title":"New Cigna Study Says Virtual Healthcare is Here to Stay","Summary":"That’s according to Cigna, the health insurance company. In one of the first nationwide studies conducted looking at the impact of COVID-19 one year later, Cigna found a surge in the use of virtual and behavioral health.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
That’s according to Cigna, the health insurance company. In one of the first nationwide studies conducted looking at the impact of COVID-19 one year later, Cigna found a surge in the use of virtual and behavioral health.<\/p>\n\n
Before the pandemic, virtual visits made up just over 1% of all medical and behavioral professional office visits that could be conducted virtually. Today, they make up nearly 25%.<\/p>\n\n
Primary care and behavioral services were the largest specialties utilized virtually in 2020:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
More than 20 percent of primary care was performed virtually<\/li>\n\t
Nearly two-thirds of behavioral care was performed virtually;<\/li>\n\t
Approximately 50.5 percent of counseling sessions were conducted virtually.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
The study also found that approximately 58 percent of adults are comfortable with virtual consultations replacing in-person doctor visits especially if it is more convenient, costs less and allowed for long-distance care.<\/p>\n\n
“With half of all respondents using virtual counseling to receive their health care, it’s clear that Sober Peer and other telehealth companies are meeting the needs of consumers,” said Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive. “Virtual counseling reaches more people with substance user disorders at a lower cost while providing shorter path to recovery.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-10","LikeCount":1531,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":66,"Title":"How Sober Peer Works With Employee Assistance Programs","Summary":"Millions of working Americans with substance use disorders need help.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Millions of working Americans with substance use disorders need help. And managers at Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are seeking new ways to help these employees recover and become more productive while protecting their company’s bottom line. Here’s one way Sober Peer can help an EAP manager achieve these goals.<\/p>\n\n
Our online health science platform has been built to help people with substance use disorders achieve and sustain recovery. It gives any employee 24\/7 access to a counselor, enabling any employee to conduct online counseling sessions and receive treatment. Our app not only helps the employee receive the treatment they need, but also reduces the need for time off to meet in person with a counselor.<\/p>\n\n
Using our mobile app, your employees can do the following:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Find and communicate with a counselor 24\/7;<\/li>\n\t
Meet other people like them and share their stories;<\/li>\n\t
Join a Small Group counseling session for additional help.<\/li>\n\t
Use our “triggers” feature to alert them and their counselor to places that could cause them harm, such as taverns, pubs or areas where they previously purchased drugs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
It’s free for any employee to join Sober Peer. A person simply needs to have their own smart phone. It just takes a few minutes to download the Sober Peer, find a counselor in our network and set up an online appointment.<\/p>\n\n
Because of the stigma, cost and fear of losing a job, many employees don’t admit that have a substance use disorder. Sober Peer enables any employee to find and connect with a counselor online, eliminating many of the obstacles facing people battling these issues.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-May-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-05-10","LikeCount":2042,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":61,"Title":"Sober Peer’s Phase I Accomplishments","Summary":"The past year has been one of significant growth for Sober Peer. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/15812\/bull-center-bulls-eye-darts-15812.jpg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
The past year has been one of significant growth for Sober Peer. Introduced in May 2020, the company now operates in 45 states and has plans in 2021 to expand to Europe and Latin America and double the number of locations where its technology treats patients.<\/p>\n\n
Its achievements during its first year of operations include the following:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Patients used the Sober Peer 310,000 times, from seeking a counselor to using the triggers feature to avoid locations where they might use drugs or alcohol;<\/li>\n\t
Patients achieved a 103 percent improvement in treatment outcomes. Sober Peer measures a patient’s progress in 12 categories that providers can see on a dashboard, giving them insight into treatment plans;<\/li>\n\t
Patients completed 154,000 surveys, completed more than 4,100 courses and 3,800 accountability assignments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “Virtual behavioral health is reaching more people now that anyone thought possible not long ago, and Sober Peer is positioned perfectly to continue to bring more, better care to millions of people,” said Ed DeShields, the company’s founder and chief executive officer. “We excited about our first-year accomplishments and look forward to the next phase of growth where we can help many more people succeed in reaching their recovery goals.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"26-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-26","LikeCount":3146,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":62,"Title":"New Sober Peer Kiosk Provides New Features","Summary":"Sober Peer has introduced a new version of its kiosk for in-patient clients that will improve a provider’s communications with these patients between appointments.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/f.hubspotusercontent10.net\/hubfs\/7393862\/Sober%20Peer\/Ipad.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer has introduced a new version of its kiosk for in-patient clients that will improve a provider’s communications with these patients between appointments. The kiosk has many new features and provides an additional way to communicate for anyone already using Sober Peer kiosk app.<\/p>\n\n
The kiosks are tablets that run a custom version of Sober Peer designed to be use for in-patient facilities. We recommend mounting it in a common area, cafeteria, or other location that clients hang out so that the kiosk is accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n\n
Many patients see their counselor once or twice each month. But with a kiosk, they can communicate a lot of information between appointments. It provides providers a quick, transparent way to monitor each patient’s activities.<\/p>\n\n
Kiosks provide the ability for clients to interact with the Sober Peer system without having to use a personal device. They allow patient to do the following:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Complete daily surveys<\/strong>. Surveys help to build the client's behavioral profile and lend key behavioral insights to the coach or counselor between appointments.<\/li>\n\t
Access assigned course work.<\/strong> Reading material and study questions can be provided to clients and accessible via the app.<\/li>\n\t
View and mark as complete assigned tasks. <\/strong>Track progress between appointments by lettings clients tell the counselor\/coach exactly what was or was not complete. Counselors\/Coaches will then be<\/li>\n\t
Create a digital Journal.<\/strong> Keep track of your recovery progress by writing about it! Clients will have the choice to keep the entries private or share them with their counselor\/coach. Counselors\/coaches can also respond to journal entries to keep the dialogue going between appointments.<\/li>\n\t
Access growth plans. <\/strong>Growth Plans that have been assigned to the client will be accessible from within the app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
A kiosk must be purchased directly from Sober Peer. <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"26-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-26","LikeCount":3670,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":63,"Title":"The US Prison Population is Tied to Drug Use – How Sober Peer Can Help","Summary":"The US prison population is strongly connected to drug-related offenses. Some research shows that an estimated 65% percent of the United States prison population has an active Substance Use Disorder (SUD). ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/6065073\/pexels-photo-6065073.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
The US prison population is strongly connected to drug-related offenses. Some research shows that an estimated 65% percent of the United States prison population has an active Substance Use Disorder (SUD). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, another 20% percent did not meet the official criteria for an SUD, but were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime.<\/p>\n\n
We know that state Accountability Courts can reduce the number of people going to prison while also helping them recover from addiction. Here is how Sober Peer helps.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer can be configured to support the requirements of any state Accountability Court, providing a broad digital care tool set to support participant success. Typically, programs have multiple phases require participants to complete different tasks and demonstrated levels of progress in order to advance to the next phase. Sober Peer is an important tool to guide each participate through each phase while also helping the courts reduce their costs.<\/p>\n\n
Here’s a good example. In many programs, for at <\/em>least two months, a participant must make a weekly court appearance, attend group or individual counseling sessions and submit to random drug tests. They must also search for employment, work toward their GED and remain clean for 30 days. With Sober Peer’s mobile app, a participate can check in with the court at any time. They can text a counselor for help about any issue 24\/7 during any stage of a person's rehabilitation.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"26-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-26","LikeCount":525,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":58,"Title":"One of our Key Benefits – Getting Patients Back to Work","Summary":"People using Sober Peer as part of their recovery are getting new jobs and keeping their current jobs, a key component of a successful recovery. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/3184291\/pexels-photo-3184291.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer measures a patient’s progress in 12 different behaviors every day as part of our “Measures and Milestones” dashboard. One of these categories is titled “Work,” which enables a clinician to determine if the patient is making progress as part of their recovery.<\/p>\n\n
New data from a large treatment center in the Northeast shows that 50 patients using Sober Peer made impressive gains in the Work category.<\/p>\n\n
The group of 50 people started out with a combined score of 25 on a 100-point scale– which is extremely low. But after only three months, they scored 75.5. The 188 percent increase in the Work category was the best improvement in the 12 categories measured by our dashboard.<\/p>\n\n
“By monitoring a patient’s work status, clinicians can use data from our dashboard to see a patient’s progress and adapt their treatment plan,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operating officer. “The data is one more way our platform can help provide the shortest path to recovery at the lowest cost.”<\/p>\n\n
The score is based largely on the automated collection of data completed daily by each patient. Using artificial intelligence support within our platform, these “Sober Signals” collect and analyze up to 500 pieces of data to gain deeper insights about each patient.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"19-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-19","LikeCount":1595,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":59,"Title":"How People in Recovery Benefit from Sober Peer","Summary":"Sober Peer was born from the idea that lasting recovery means meeting people where they are.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/3932237\/pexels-photo-3932237.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer was born from the idea that lasting recovery means meeting people where they are. Thousands of people now in recovery use our mobile app, which gives them 24\/7 access to a counselor, enabling anyone to conduct online counseling sessions and receive treatment at home. Other benefits that aid in treatment include:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
A virtual community on our app. This allows people in recovery to connect with and support each other.<\/li>\n\t
The ability to join online Small Group education, counseling and support sessions to learn how to sustain long-term recovery;<\/li>\n\t
A personal journal for recording progress and sharing feelings with their advisor;<\/li>\n\t
A “To Do” list of tasks and activities associated with their treatment plan are always at their fingertips;<\/li>\n\t
A “triggers” feature that alerts patients to places that could be harmful, such as taverns or areas where they have previously purchased drugs. Providers, friends and family members can also have access to this feature, helping patients avoid these places and avoid a relapse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
$\"Serious$ <\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"19-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-19","LikeCount":2125,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":54,"Title":"Sober Peer to Add 500 New Treatment Locations Beginning in July","Summary":"As part of a long-term plan to provide online counseling for people with substance use disorders, Sober Peer will partner with Adult and Teen Challenge to use Sober Peer in 500 new locations across the United States beginning in July. People will meet both in person and virtually — using the Sober Peer’s mobile app platform.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/6108074\/pexels-photo-6108074.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=3&h=750&w=1260","HtmlContent":"
“This is the latest example of how Sober Peer is expanding throughout the U.S. to treat more people suffering from substance use disorders,” said Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “It shows how our application reaches many people who need help, even if they may not have access to a treatment facility near them.”<\/p>\n\n

\nThe Sober Peer application is used to monitor and track each participant's daily behavior to provide counselors with real time data about their psychological, emotional, and social struggles. The application will help individuals regardless of their admission to a residential facility or those who need ongoing support after completing a recovery program.<\/p>\n\n

\nTo read more about how Sober Peer will be used, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"12-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-12","LikeCount":3233,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":56,"Title":"We Measure 12 Areas of Behavior - Results from Patients Treated at a Northeast Treatment Center","Summary":"New data from a large treatment center in the Northeast using Sober Peer shows how our technology platform is helping people recover from substance use disorders.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/3183153\/pexels-photo-3183153.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer measures a patient’s progress in 12 different behaviors every day as part of our “Measures and Milestones” dashboard. By monitoring the dashboard, clinicians can follow a patient’s progress in a wide range of categories, ranging from their Addiction to a patient’s Physical and Mental Health.<\/p>\n\n
The results from the Northeast treatment center show the power of the data and analytics in treating patients. Within three months, the average score for patients at the facility rose 87 percent -- an indication that these patients experienced significant progress in their recovery.<\/p>\n\n
“By interacting with the Sober Peer platform, each patient can record information that a clinician can use in their treatment plan,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operating officer. “This data supports a clinician with an evidence-based array of treatment plan suggestions that encourages the shortest path to recovery at the lowest cost.”<\/p>\n\n
The recent study shows that 75 patients began treatment with an Addiction score of 61.2. Within three months, the average score rose to 81.4, an increase of 33 percent.<\/p>\n\n
The automated collection of data can be completed in five minutes or less. Using artificial intelligence support within our platform, these “Sober Signals” collect and analyze up to 500 pieces of data to gain deeper insights about each patient.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"12-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-12","LikeCount":543,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":57,"Title":"Here’s More Information About How We Measure a Patient’s Progress","Summary":"One of the categories Sober Peer measures each day is called “Thinking Differently”; an important predictor of recovery.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/3912976\/pexels-photo-3912976.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
Using our artificial intelligence engine, Sober Peer collects these data on whether the patient is changing their destructive thinking and replacing it with healthy actions, and to what degree.<\/p>\n\n
Data collected from the patient is scored in 12 categories. In the study of 51 patients at the Northeast facility, the average score for Independent Living rose significantly in six months of observation.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"12-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-12","LikeCount":1081,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":52,"Title":"Here’s How You Can Check a Patient’s Sobriety Level 24\/7","Summary":"Counselors, coaches and other healthcare professionals constantly need to validate their client’s sobriety. Here’s an easy way to do that.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer now offers a breathalyzer that is connected to our technology platform. Your patient can be prompted at a predetermined time or asked randomly to take a breathalyzer test on camera. Once prompted, they have 15 minutes to complete the test and their identity is validated using facial authentication. The recording of the test is then stored on the patient’s profile.<\/p>\n\n
“This is a new feature that enables counselors and coaches to validate the sobriety of their clients,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operations officer. “It’s one more way our product gives providers the ability to better treat their patients.”<\/p>\n\n
This new product gives Sober Peer a leg up on competitors. Other mobile apps that track health and sobriety don’t have a physical device tied to the app that can validate self-reported data. Sober Peer will be one of the very few that have the capability to deliver on-demand sobriety checks.<\/p>\n\n
The breathalyzer also gives drug courts a new way to monitor the sobriety of their parolees at a distance. Currently, parolees must physically come to a local courthouse or other building to complete a drug test.<\/p>\n\n
For people re-entering society after in-patient services, random alcohol screening is an excellent tool to encourage sobriety as a counselor\/coach can literally have the person breathalyzed every morning and evening or 5 times throughout the day, etc.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"07-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-07","LikeCount":2175,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":53,"Title":"Platform Helps Clinicians Measure Progress, Provide Shortest Path to Recovery","Summary":"Sober Peer has recently enhanced its technology platform to make it easier for clinicians to diagnose and treat their patients.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
The product enhancements improve a clinician’s workflow by streamlining patient management. Clinicians can now capture the ability to set appointments, insurance and payment information in one tool for significantly less cost than traditional Electronic Health Records (EHR) software.<\/p>\n\n
Unlike other mobile apps, Sober Peer’s app enables clinicians to connect with their patients to provide treatment and go to the dashboard to bill for their services. After receiving timely behavioral information via the app, clinicians can provide treatment options over the app, too.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s dashboard measures a patient’s progress in 12 different behaviors every day. As part of Sober Peer’s “Measures and Milestones” dashboard, clinicians can see daily updates on wide range of categories that include Addiction, Independent Living, Hope for Success and Physical and Mental Health. By tracking patient behavior, Sober Peer’s artificial intelligence (AI) software captures up to 500 pieces of data each day on each patient. Patients may also submit comments that help with treatment. For example, in the “Thinking Differently” category, a client lets their clinician know that “My past trauma is no longer an issue in my life.”<\/p>\n\n
“Our ability to measure each patient’s progress in these 12 categories provides clinicians with data they need to better treat each patient,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operations officer. “This information allows the clinician to provide the shortest path to recovery by focusing on the areas of behavior that need treatment quickly.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"07-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-07","LikeCount":2719,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":50,"Title":"Sober Peer to Play Vital Role at 500 New Treatment Locations Beginning in July","Summary":"Our Mobile App Will be the Centerpiece of Adult and Teen Challenge's \"Ready Now Recovery\" Program","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/teenchallengeusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/TCUSA_Logos-Adult_Blue_small.png","HtmlContent":"
As part of a long-term plan to provide online counseling for people with substance use disorders, Adult and Teen Challenge has announced it will use Sober Peer in 500 locations across the United States beginning in July. People will meet both in person and virtually — using the ministry’s Sober Peer mobile app platform<\/a>. The Sober Peer<\/a> app will monitor and track each participant's behavior daily and provide counselors with data about their psychological, emotional, and social issues. The app will help individuals who aren’t part of a residential group or who need ongoing support after graduating from Adult & Teen Challenge.<\/p>\n\n
To find out more, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"05-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-05","LikeCount":1092,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":51,"Title":"Here’s How You Can Check a Patient’s Sobriety Level 24\/7","Summary":"Counselors, coaches and other healthcare professionals constantly need to validate their client’s sobriety. Here’s an easy way to do that.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer now offers a <\/strong>breathalyzer that is connected to our technology platform. Your patient can be prompted at a predetermined time or asked randomly to take a breathalyzer test on camera. Once prompted, they have 15 minutes to complete the test and their identity is validated using facial authentication. The recording of the test is then stored on the patient’s profile.<\/p>\n\n
“This is a new feature that enables counselors and coaches to validate the sobriety of their clients,” says Mark Cole, Sober Peer’s chief operations officer. “It’s one more way our product gives providers the ability to better treat their patients.”<\/p>\n\n
This new product gives Sober Peer a leg up on competitors. Other mobile apps that track health and sobriety don’t have a physical device tied to the app that can validate self-reported data. Sober Peer will be one of the very few that have the capability to deliver on-demand sobriety checks.<\/p>\n\n
The breathalyzer also gives drug courts a new way to monitor the sobriety of their parolees at a distance. Currently, parolees must physically come to a local courthouse or other building to complete a drug test.<\/p>\n\n
For people re-entering society after in-patient services, random alcohol screening is an excellent tool to encourage sobriety as a counselor\/coach can literally have the person breathalyzed every morning and evening or 5 times throughout the day, etc.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"05-Apr-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-04-05","LikeCount":1637,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":49,"Title":"Sober Peer Recognizes Increase in Substance Use Disorder Care Within Newly Formed Network","Summary":"Sober Peer, a new technology start-up, announced today that the volume of care within its platform aimed at people with substance use disorders (SUD) is on pace to deliver $75 million in treatment services for the twelve-month period ending May 2021.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/669612\/pexels-photo-669612.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","HtmlContent":"
Global Expansion Will Double Size of Company in 2021<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Dallas, February 26, 2021 <\/strong>– Sober Peer, a new technology start-up, announced today that the volume of care within its platform aimed at people with substance use disorders (SUD) is on pace to deliver $75 million in treatment services for the twelve-month period ending May 2021.<\/p>\n\n
“After just eight months, the network produced over 250,000 patient interactions that identified important productivity trends associated with substance use behavior among our treatment population. That not only drove the early growth of our business model, but it supported better outcomes and the cost of delivering care. And that supports our growth strategy well into the future”, according to Ed DeShields the Founder and CEO of Sober Peer.<\/p>\n\n
The Company’s early success has encouraged its aggressive expansion within the United States and Canada, and into new global markets this year where the Company has a backlog of pending interest sufficient to double its forward-looking twelve-month forecast. Its mathematical approach to the substance use treatment problem has captured the imagination of the industry where traditional treatment costs and outcome performance limits care.<\/p>\n\n
To its credit, the company leveraged its considerable depth in behavioral sciences to build a proprietary series of models that re-thinks the workflow of care around shorter, more efficient paths to recovery. That model helps reimagine the delivery of care made possible by its broad digital health platform - among the broadest of offerings in the industry.<\/p>\n\n
“We’re simply amazed at the results where simple changes in how we model our treatment approach produced a 10x productivity increase where expenditures vs. patients served out-produced traditional treatment approaches; and that will make a difference to just about everyone”, said DeShields.<\/p>\n\n
About Sober Peer <\/strong>Sober Peer is a behavioral sciences company focused on delivering better value of care delivery for people suffering from substance use disorders. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company supports 150 provider organizations in 42 states, and Canada and thousands of clients through its direct-to-consumer channel.<\/p>\n\n
Media Contact: Scott Scredon, scott@soberpeer.com or 770-315-0745.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"26-Feb-2021","DatePublishedForSort":"2021-02-26","LikeCount":590,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":43,"Title":"As Opioid Death Rise, Three Ways Sober Peer Can Help","Summary":"As the pandemic continues to challenge people with substance use disorders, telehealth is increasing viewed by healthcare professionals as a way to reach them and provide treatment.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
As the pandemic continues to challenge people with substance use disorders, telehealth is increasing viewed by healthcare professionals as a way to reach them and provide treatment. Our mobile health platform is helping produce better outcomes by embracing three big ideas that can transform addiction recovery:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
\n\t
Uses Artificial Intelligence to Analyze Patient Data.<\/strong> Our technology tracks up to 500 pieces of behavioral data daily for each patient. These Sober Signals help a peer recovery coach or healthcare provider can use this information to find issues hidden by the patient.<\/p>\n\t<\/li>\n\t
\n\t
Our Mobile App Means Continuous Care.<\/strong> Patients can engage with their healthcare professional and others 24\/7. In turn, the app collects data on each patient, which enables the healthcare professional to provide continuous care over the phone.<\/p>\n\t<\/li>\n\t
\n\t
Makes Professional Help Affordable and Accessible.<\/strong> The mobile app helps reach the 89 percent of substance users who don’t seek treatment. It improves patient engagement and better outcomes at a lower cost.<\/p>\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Read more<\/a> how telehealth has helped saved lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"30-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-30","LikeCount":1282,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":44,"Title":"How to Sustain Recovery - Aftercare for the Discharged Patient","Summary":"Relapse is the biggest problem facing your patients. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Relapse is the biggest problem facing your patients.<\/p>\n\n
Here’s an example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
After completing the 30-day in-patient detox, the patient is released. A follow-up appointment is scheduled in seven days, but the patient is concerned about relapsing before the follow-up appointment.<\/p>\n\n
By signing up your patient with Sober Peer, you can check in with the patient twice a day to support them during their first week out. You can also identify an ongoing small group made up of graduates from the same center that meets daily. The patient is able to instantly join the group.<\/p>\n\n
After that, the counselor then signs the patient’s brother\/sister\/wife\/husband for Sober Peer and connects the two together within the app.<\/p>\n\n
By providing aftercare via Sober Peer, the center has improved patient recovery outcomes and reduced the rate of death resulting in overdoses from clients returning to the community.<\/p>\n\n
Read more<\/a> about how US overdose deaths have reached record highs.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"30-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-30","LikeCount":1923,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":45,"Title":"How Our Technology is Helping More Than 700 Counselors, Coaches","Summary":"Approximately 765 counselors and recovery coaches are using Sober Peer’s unique technology to provide better treatment that leads to recovery.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Approximately 765 counselors and recovery coaches are using Sober Peer’s unique technology to provide better treatment that leads to recovery.<\/p>\n\n
A study of 1,700 patients treated with Sober Peer shows promising results for those in recovery. On a scale of 1 to 100 when ranking their recovery from addiction, these patients had an average score of 34 when they began treatment. After measuring and tracking their behavior for three months using Sober Peer, their collective score jumped to 51 – a roughly 50 percent increase in their recovery.<\/p>\n\n
Read more<\/a> about a new bill before Congress aims to permanently allow healthcare providers to use telehealth in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for substance abuse and provide Medicare coverage for audio-only phone calls.  <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"30-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-30","LikeCount":2564,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":5,"Title":"Oklahoma’s Largest Recovery Center CEO Discusses Telehealth, Sober Peer","Summary":"1-on-1 with Bryan Day, CEO of 12&12, Inc.","ImageUrl":null,"HtmlContent":"
Bryan Day heads up 12&12, Inc., Oklahoma’s largest Comprehensive Community Addiction Recovery Center (CCARC). Based in Tulsa and funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, it provides multiple levels of treatment including detoxification, intensive residential treatment, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment, counseling, transitional living, and sober living. Its service model integrates medical oversight, psychiatry, nursing, counseling, and case management. Here is his interview with Sober Peer on a variety of recent topics affecting substance use disorders. <\/p>\n\n
Has the COVID-19 crisis had an impact on counseling and other operations? Have you begun or expanded telehealth to treat more people? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
We have 200+ people in our care daily on our main campus, which covers 170,000 square feet. Once COVID-19 hit, it had an impact on every aspect of our operations. After a thorough review of our workflow, we decided telehealth services could be broadened and take on a new emphasis. Telehealth isn’t our only bullet, but it’s now a vital part of our treatment. Residential counselors that previously met fact-to-face with patients often now treat them in a telehealth environment. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, telehealth was our platform for outpatient care. Now it plays a role in all levels of care, including in-patient and outpatient care, detoxification and even residential treatment. Younger patients, in particular, are accepting it more easily. Of course, it’s not 100 percent of our service model. Nurses and other medical personnel remain onsite, but it’s been 100 percent integrated into our treatment.<\/p>\n\n
Are you seeing an increase in patients due to increased alcohol and drug use during the crisis? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
The crisis has clearly had an impact on people in recovery; isolation is not the friend of recovery. We are providing ser","DatePublished":"05-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-05","LikeCount":3996,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":7,"Title":"Teaching Teenagers How to Beat Drug Use","Summary":"I treat teenagers between 14 and 17 1\/2 years old suffering from substance use disorders.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/www.newlifehouseacademy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Zach-Williams_Life-Skills-Program-BC-1-300x255.jpg","HtmlContent":"
I treat teenagers between 14 and 17 1\/2 years old suffering from substance use disorders. They live here for 12-15 months, so we get to know them extremely well.<\/p>\n\n
Of course when they arrive, few of them want to be here. Their parents have made the tough decision to enroll them and many come to us from states outside of Oklahoma that have decriminalized the use of marijuana. Even though they cannot legally purchase it, they are able to find it from older friends and even relatives.<\/p>\n\n
Because marijuana is legal in their home state, we need to discuss how it affects their brain and body. This information will help them understand how marijuana may harm their lives even after they are legally allowed to purchase it. We have to get to the core reasons for their drug use, so our education efforts focus on the root causes of their issue. We want to find out the reasons they are using drugs instead of just managing symptoms.<\/p>\n\n
As a result, I’ve seen more students leave our rehabilitation program and not fall back into destructive patterns. The key is providing them with the knowledge and information to make the right decisions when their triggers occur.<\/p>\n\n
How Sober Peer Can Help.<\/strong> We plan to use Sober Peer’s Enterprise technology for in-house practice and the app for after-care. Because Sober Peer’s artificial intelligence (AI) engine can help us collect more information quicker on each student (with their permission), we believe it can provide us with more insight on each student and improve our programs.<\/p>\n\n
For example, if the AI shows us a current student has substance use habits and behavior issues similar to someone we’ve already in the past, counselors will be able to recognize these patterns and provide a better approach for that student.<\/p>\n\n
We plan to begin using Sober Peer as part of our after-care program beginning in September. Sober Peer’s app will continue to help us be involved","DatePublished":"05-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-05","LikeCount":666,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":10,"Title":"Sober Peer Qualifies as Pennsylvania Clearinghouse for Medicaid","Summary":"Healthcare Providers Can Quickly Be Reimbursed for Treating Patients Who Qualify for Medicaid","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/www.picpedia.org\/medical\/images\/medicaid.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Dallas, December 3, 2020 – <\/strong>Sober Peer<\/a> today announced it has been certified by the state of Pennsylvania as a clearinghouse for Medicaid insurance claims. This means that healthcare providers treating people with substance use disorders can submit a claim using Sober Peer’s software or choosing Sober Peer as a clearinghouse using their own software.<\/p>\n\n
Approximately 74 million people in the US receive health coverage under Medicaid, a federal government program for low-income people, including adults with disabilities and children. According to Medicaid.gov, nearly 12 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries over 18 years old have a substance use disorder.<\/p>\n\n
“Certification of our automated billing process is a an important benefit for healthcare providers in Pennsylvania who treat patients receiving Medicaid,” said Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “Instead of manually gathering information for an invoice, they now have more time to treat those patients and expand their outreach for new patients who need their services and increases their revenues.”<\/p>\n\n
Healthcare providers submitting these insurance claims electronically will need a Medicaid identification number and be registered with the state of Pennsylvania as a Medicaid provider. After verifying that a patient receives Medicaid, a provider needs to document the date of service, the diagnosis and the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to submit a claim.<\/p>\n\n
Providers can also submit claims for a telehealth service with Medicaid-eligible patients. Because Sober Peer’s technology platform was built to reach many people through its mobile app, this is a major benefit for providers using Sober Peer.<\/p>\n\n
Media Contact: Scott Scredon, scott@soberpeer.com<\/a> or 770-315-0745.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"03-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-03","LikeCount":2684,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":2,"Title":"City of Tulsa Police Partners with Sober Peer, Tulsa Sobering Center","Summary":"Broadening their outreach efforts, Tulsa Sobering Center integrates Sober Peer into their program.","ImageUrl":null,"HtmlContent":"
The largest addiction recovery center in Tulsa, Okla., is now offering Sober Peer’s mobile app to adults detained for public intoxication and who are admitted to the Tulsa Sobering Center.<\/p>\n\n
The Tulsa Sobering Center is an innovative program designed for adults detained for public intoxication, who have not committed other crimes. Participants are offered the option to go to center for a 10-hour period to "sleep it off" in a safe clean environment instead of going to jail.<\/p>\n\n
The Tulsa Sobering Center is now in its third year of operation. In its first year, 767 individuals used the facility.<\/p>\n\n
“Everyone who enters the center is now offered the Sober Peer app,” says Jonas Goins, 12&12’s director of special projects and services. “We believe the app has potential benefits for anyone with a phone who has a chemical dependency issue.” <\/p>\n\n
App Will Reach Wide Variety of People in Need<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Goins says the app will reach people with a wide variety of needs.<\/p>\n\n
“Tulsa Sobering Center participants have different needs,” he says. “Some just made a bad decision and will be released in 10 hours. Others may need more services. As we try to determine their needs, the app will help us connect with the entire range of people and enable us to provide appropriate referral opportunities.”<\/p>\n\n
While some people won’t need help after they are released, the app can help maintain communication with people who do. A good example are those people who might benefit from treatment in 12&12’s residential treatment facility or outpatient services.<\/p>\n\n
How the App Will Be Used <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Once people agree to have the Sober Peer app downloaded on their phone, Goins sees two potential scenarios where they will get help.<\/p>\n\n
First, Tulsa Sobering Center staff will reach out to them twice each week. Staff will ask how the par","DatePublished":"01-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-01","LikeCount":2010,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":3,"Title":"Sober Peer is Helping States Tackle Their Opioid Abatement Plans","Summary":"As States Decide How to Allocate Funds, They Will Need a Reliable Technology Partner","ImageUrl":null,"HtmlContent":"
As each state begins finalizing plans to allocate funds on abating the opioid epidemic, they will need technology partners to meet their goals and be successful. Sober Peer believes its national technology platform gives states a comprehensive way to manage this large-scale initiative by using behavioral science and a continuous car model to reach and connect people with the treatment they need.<\/p>\n\n
“The proposed settlement with opioid manufacturers is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to alter the treatment model and reach millions of people suffering from substance use disorders,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer.<\/p>\n\n
“Technology can make a huge difference by connecting providers and their patients online – something we’ve never done before. This breakthrough will enable thousands of people in each state to get the help them need and deserve.”<\/p>\n\n
The core of any successful abatement plan has three elements, says DeShields. They are:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Mobilizing outreach using community partners and public service announcements. These efforts can target the 89 percent of the population with opioid and substance user disorders who aren’t seeking help and friends and relatives concerned about their health.<\/li>\n\t
Developing strong, specific-use cases for each agency and provider in the abatement plan. Each agency and provider should have clear action steps on how to implement evidence-based direct care and standard way to measure outcomes.<\/li>\n\t
Enrolling each participant in long-term aftercare to protect them during recovery from opioid use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
To deliver on the promise of a successful state abatement strategy, Sober Peer recommends the following actions:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Use the Sober Peer mobile app as the primary channel to overcome the barriers of distance, time, cost and stigma that prevent many persons from seeking help.<\/li>\n\t
Integrate Sober Pee","DatePublished":"01-Dec-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-12-01","LikeCount":2681,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":47,"Title":"Interview with Phil Wolverton, Adult & Teen Challenge in Mandan, North Dakota","Summary":"It’s Never Too Late to Learn New Coaching Skills","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/spwmedia.blob.core.windows.net\/public\/Images\/Wolverton.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Phil Wolverton has overseen the Adult & Teen Challenge organization in Mandan, North Dakota since May 2016. An ex-user of alcohol, heroin and cocaine, Wolverton moved to North Dakota in 1988 and has been helping people in recovery ever since. His coaching experience includes working as a pastor on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation for seven years and coaching individuals in recovery.<\/p>\n\n
Wolverton recently attended training sponsored by Sober Peer for recovery coaches through the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), a 5-day intensive online training program that provides people with skills needed to help people enter into or sustain long-term recovery from alcohol or other drugs. He discusses how the training will help him improve his recovery coaching.<\/p>\n\n
Discuss what you learned at CCAR training that will make you a better recovery coach?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
I’m a care coordinator and peer support specialist. CCAR’s training is all about acquiring more knowledge about how to help our clients. Despite helping people for decades, I came away with several specific ways to improve my coaching. In the session about “stages of change,” we learned different ways to prepare our clients how to move to the “action” stage in their recovery. We learned more about teaching them how to set goals, develop a plan for change and take steps to reach their goals. This is the kind of action I can put into my coaching going forward.<\/p>\n\n
How does this training supplement your recovery program at Adult & Teen Challenge? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
At Adult & Teen Challenge, we have a curriculum that has four stages and gets our students prepped to grow through recovery. The CCAR training will add some critical new steps to our curriculum. CCAR helped us better define recovery and look more closely at the impact of coaching on our students’ various stages of recovery and change. I’ll be working with our counselors and program director to integrate it into our Christ-centered teaching.<\/p>\n\n
Will other coaches from your organization take the course? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Yes. One of our other coaches participated in the training class in August and recommended it to me. Now that I’ve been through it, I plan to have our counselors, teachers and program staff—20 people in all—take the training.<\/p>\n\n
We care first and foremost for our students. And CCAR will help me become certified nationally as a trainer and coach to better help others through recovery.<\/p>\n\n
How does Sober Peer improve the care coaches are providing their clients? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We are excited about getting the Sober Peer app into the hands of clients who need a 1-on-1 connection and get them connected right away. Here, in North Dakota, there are times you have to wait 3-5 weeks to get an appointment to see a psychologist. But our clients need help right away. If they need a connection at 2 in the morning Sober Peer can be there.<\/p>\n\n
In North Dakota, the state pays for the training for care coordinators and peer support specialists to help people coming out of jail and prison. There are thousands of people coming out of prison that can benefit from the app. We will ask them to download the app once we begin working with them.<\/p>\n\n
Have you experienced an increase in students since COVID-19 this spring? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We’ve seen a significant rise in addiction; people continue to contact us seeking help. The hardest part is hearing from families who need help for a loved one. We’ve
\nhad families contact us seeking help who say their son has been gone for a month. Our capacity is about 55 students; currently we do have room for more men and women. Sober Peer also lets us start helping waitlisted clients immediately through the mobile app when we are at capacity.<\/p>\n\n
We know people want to get outside and into jobs, but they can’t find the right outlet. One of our probation officers went downtown and said there’s no one there except the people on probation. They need community, they need people.<\/p>\n\n
Discuss what you learned at CCAR training that will make you a better recovery coach?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
I’m a care coordinator and peer support specialist. CCAR’s training is all about acquiring more knowledge about how to help our clients.<\/p>\n\n
Despite helping people for decades, I came away with several specific ways to improve my coaching. In the session about “stagesof change,” we learned different ways to prepare our clients how to move to the “action” stage in their recovery. We learned more about teaching them how to set goals, develop a plan for change and take steps to reach their goals. This is the kind of action I can put into my coaching going forward.<\/p>\n\n
How does this training supplement your recovery program at Adult & Teen Challenge? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
At Adult & Teen Challenge, we have a curriculum that has four stages and gets our students prepped to grow through recovery. The CCAR training will add some critical new steps to our curriculum. CCAR helped us better define recovery and look more closely at the impact of coaching on our students’ various stages of recovery and change. I’ll be working with our counselors and program director to integrate it into our Christ-centered teaching.<\/p>\n\n
Will other coaches from your organization take the course? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Yes. One of our other coaches participated in the training class in August and recommended it to me. Now that I’ve been through it, I plan to have our counselors, teachers and program staff—20 people in all—take the training. We care first and foremost for our students. And CCAR will help me become certified nationally as a trainer and coach to better help others through recovery. How does Sober Peer improve the care coaches are providing their clients? We are excited about getting the Sober Peer app into the hands of clients who need a 1-on-1 connection and get them connected right away.<\/p>\n\n
Here, in North Dakota, there are times you have to wait 3-5 weeks to get an appointment to see a psychologist. But our clients need help right away. If they need a connection at 2 in the morning Sober Peer can be there.<\/p>\n\n
In North Dakota, the state pays for the training for care coordinators and peer support specialists to help people coming out of jail and prison. There are thousands of people coming out of prison that can benefit from the app. We will ask them to download the app once we begin working with them.
\n
\nHave you experienced an increase in students since COVID-19 this spring? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We’ve seen a significant rise in addiction; people continue to contact us seeking help. The hardest part is hearing from families who need help for a loved one. We’ve
\nhad families contact us seeking help who say their son has been gone for a month. Our capacity is about 55 students; currently we do have room for more men and women. Sober Peer also lets us start helping waitlisted clients immediately through the mobile app when we are at capacity.<\/p>\n\n
We know people want to get outside and into jobs, but they can’t find the right outlet. One of our probation officers went downtown and said there’s no one there except the people on probation. They need community, they need people.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"18-Sep-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-09-18","LikeCount":4468,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":8,"Title":"Sober Peer Sponsors Training for 25 More Recovery Coaches","Summary":"Beginning August 24, Sober Peer is sponsoring an additional 25 peer and recovery coaches from the Teen Challenge National network to attend a one-week training provided by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/training.jfif","HtmlContent":"
Beginning August 24, Sober Peer is sponsoring an additional 25 peer and recovery coaches from the Teen Challenge National network to attend a one-week training provided by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). It is the second group of providers to receive this training as Sober Peer’s commitment to improve the quality of treatment nationwide. The first group received training in early July.<\/p>\n\n
CCAR’s Recovery Coach Academy© is a 5-day intensive online training program that provides counselors with skills needed to help people that enter into or sustain long-term recovery from alcohol or other drugs.<\/p>\n\n
It’s also a key step for these coaches on the road to state certification. This is important because Sober Peer is working with a number of state agencies across the nation and agreed to have coaches ready to serve and provide qualified, professional support.<\/p>\n\n
For example, Sober Peer is working with several states to utilize these coaches to help people leaving state prisons or local jails receive treatment. Many of these individuals will also need the care provided by Global Teen Challenge’s long-term residential treatment centers.<\/p>\n\n
“Our goal is to train up to 6,000 professionals and add them to the critical workforce we need to conquer substance use,” said Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer.<\/p>\n\n
The wide-ranging training program covered topics ranging from the five stages of recovery to the skill-based exercises involving motional conversations and active listening. Participants practiced working with patients to overcome common stigmas to substance use disorder as well as reviewed techniques like motivations conversations to encourage deeper connections with their clients.<\/p>\n\n
With this training, the coaches will be better prepared to use Sober Peer to help analyze behavioral signals gathered from each client to determine the best treatment pathway.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-Aug-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-08-10","LikeCount":1574,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":36,"Title":"Nebraska’s Scott Frakes Seeks Investment in Treatment Options vs. Incarceration","Summary":"Since 2015, Scott Frakes has served as director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/ScottFrakes.png","HtmlContent":"
Since 2015, Scott Frakes has served as director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). Under his watch, the department has sought to establish a culture of reentry and rehabilitation to protect public safety, prison staff and inmates. And he has worked with the state legislature to secure more money to hire additional behavioral health staff.<\/p>\n\n
His department offers drug and alcohol treatment and education programs, including residential treatment programs for those inmates with serious substance abuse issues and are in need of intervention. As a member of Governor Pete Ricketts’ cabinet, he directs an agency of 2,300 staff members and more than 5,000 inmates throughout 10 state prisons. Sober Peer asked Frakes to discuss his department’s challenges regarding substance use disorders and how he has addressed those issues. <\/p>\n\n
“Substance abuse continues to be one of the greatest challenges in our prison systems. Nebraska has so far avoided the degree of opioid addiction experienced across the country, but alcohol, methamphetamine, and K2 (a group of synthetic drugs) use impacts nearly 80% of the prison population.<\/p>\n\n

\n“At NDCS we continue to improve our assessment and treatment approaches, working to give incarcerated people the tools needed to achieve recovery from addiction. We are so fortunate to have the resources needed to offer inpatient, outpatient and aftercare services.”
\nFrakes has a long-term approach to helping each inmate turn around their lives. He says more than 93% of the people in the Nebraska cor-rections system will return to the community, with two-thirds of the population released in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n

\n“We are serious about making a difference, we are serious about improving community safety and we are serious about keeping them from returning to prison,” he says. “Given the right tools, the right education, the right treatment, and the right opportunities, they can find success.
\nA top priority is investing more in housing aimed at helping people recover from substance use disorders. “Our next opportunities include creating mission-specific housing for people focused on recovery, and embracing technology that will help build stronger recovery pathways when people return to the community.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"05-Aug-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-08-05","LikeCount":1579,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":35,"Title":"Conversations with Ed DeShields - Plans for Worldwide Growth","Summary":"Ed DeShields is the founder and chief executive officer of Sober Peer, a\nnew mobile health technology platform that helps reach millions of consumers\nwho practice risky drug or alcohol use.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/res-2.cloudinary.com\/crunchbase-production\/image\/upload\/c_thumb,h_256,w_256,f_auto,g_faces,z_0.7,q_auto:eco\/grc14qowrxwng7o61plx","HtmlContent":"
What is Sober Peer’s road map to reach people who need treatment for substance use disorders?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We are working closely with our customers to expand Sober Peer to about 260 recovery facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada this year. Over the next two years we hope to reach to every address there. In 2021, we will enter Europe, Australia. Eurasia and Africa where our customers currently operate 800 treatment locations in 125 countries. So, we’ve got a full schedule ahead.<\/p>\n\n
In addition, we are beginning a pilot program with state government and public health officials across in several states domestically to demonstrate how our platform improves treatment. Most governmental agencies have lost billions of dollars in revenues due to the COVID-19 crisis, yet they still need to fund agencies that provide or facilitate treatment. Sober Peer, using digital simulation technology will help them reach more people for a lower cost while improving outcomes.<\/p>\n\n
How are you addressing the shortage of qualified clinicians to treat substance abuse?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We are communicating with 31,000 licensed professionals to recruit them to join the Sober Peer provider network and offer free behavioral training for peer and recovery coaches. Our goal is to train up to 6,000 professionals and add them to the critical workforce we need to conquer substance use.<\/p>\n\n
Is Sober Peer providing this training?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We have started this process by sponsoring peer and recovery coaches to attend training by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). The organization’s CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© is a 5-day intensive online training program that provides counselors with skills needed to help people that enter into or sustain long-term recovery from alcohol or other drugs.<\/p>\n\n
This training program is a key step for these coaches on the road to state certification. This is important because Sober Peer is working with a number of state agencies across the nation and agreed to have coaches ready to serve and provide qualified, professional support. <\/p>\n\n
How is the Sober Peer app helping healthcare providers find new patients?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Our technology helps healthcare providers build community “small groups” to engage and support many different kinds of persons. Especially during the COVID-19 crisis, small groups are an important lifeline for individuals recovering from substance use disorder. <\/p>\n\n
Small groups can be accessed and attended through the Sober Peer mobile app. These digital groups are able to overcome the time, cost, distance and stigma barriers that affect many people struggling with addiction. The groups are designed to meet specific needs and this enables members to share their experiences and provide peer support to others who are dealing with similar issues.<\/p>\n\n
The types of groups vary widely. They can include persons with a specific opioid, drug, or alcohol use disorder; family mem-bers and friends of a person with a SUD; and aftercare for individuals who have completed in-patient treatment. This type of counseling can increase engagement while providing advice that helps each attendee learn and apply ways to avoid destructive behavior.<\/p>\n\n
How can a healthcare provider start a small group?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We allow providers to create and advertise their small groups directly on our platform. Interested persons can search for a group based on course topic, day, time, group size, and several other factors. Groups can be virtual, in-person or a combination and it’s quick and easy to subscribe and get started. Here’s a good example of how a provider can launch their small group practice:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
The provider met with local pastors, family practice physicians, hospital emergency rooms, and employers in their local community and neighboring areas. He provided them a link to Sober Peer share with interested persons. These community leaders shared it with their constituents and let them know that discreet, professional help is available through the app.<\/li>\n\t
Persons interested can attend an introductory class for free. The group leader or individuals attending the group are able to invite a guest to attend for free by sending a link from the mobile app.<\/li>\n\t
As part of its marketing program, the provider offers group sessions at a much lower cost than one-on-one counseling. Clients that are most engaged with the group session are offered special pricing for one-on-one counseling. The provider has several communities of care that are growing virally as members share and invite their friends, family and coworkers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","DatePublished":"30-Jul-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-07-30","LikeCount":801,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":33,"Title":"Sober Peer Named Top 10 IT Simulation Solutions Providers","Summary":"CIO Applications is an enterprise technology magazine for senior-level technology buyers and decision-makers to learn and share their experiences with products, technologies and technology trends","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/www.cioapplications.com\/uploaded_images\/5j28zmas1.jpg","HtmlContent":"
CIO Applications is an enterprise technology magazine for senior-level technology buyers and decision-makers to learn and share their experiences with products, technologies and technology trends. In announcing its award, the magazine recognized Sober Peer’s unique contribution to telehealth:<\/p>\n\n
“We are glad to announce Sober Peer, LLC as one of the Top 10 Simulation Consulting\/Service Companies for 2020. We are pleased to recognize Sober Peer, LLC for offering artificial intelligence simulations for mHealth behavioral science that is helping to reshape how substance use treatment programs address the negative behavior associated with addiction.” <\/p>\n\n
The magazine says simulation has revolutionized product design and manufacturing across many industries, including automotive, aerospace, oil and gas exploration, and the life sciences.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"30-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-30","LikeCount":4951,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":34,"Title":"Rising To The Challenge","Summary":"Steve Trader is chief executive officer of Global Teen Challenge (GTC), a nonprofit organization that provides treatment for teens and adults with substance use disorders. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/globaltc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STEVE-.jpeg","HtmlContent":"
Steve Trader is chief executive officer of Global Teen Chal-lenge (GTC), a nonprofit organization that provides treatment for teens and adults with substance use disorders. GTC represents programs and initiatives in the organization’s 1,400 affiliate centers in 129 countries. Steve is responsible for implementing Sober Peer in the US and overseas and below he discusses how this partnership is transforming care in their network.<\/p>\n\n
What’s the biggest benefit of partnership with Sober Peer?<\/strong>
\nWe are starting to see the real power of a strong analytical platform used within our system to actually “prove” statistically the value of our faith-based approach while also giving great insights into many other areas for care improvement and growth opportunities. Also, in light of the quarantine and isolation challenges, the need for virtual coaching is now a part of the new normal and the Sober Peer platform is the perfect way for us to provide these services. <\/p>\n\n
More than 1,000 people were treated using Sober Peer last year as part of the system’s initial launch. What did you learn? <\/strong>
\nSober Peer is a powerful platform for improving treatment with our clients. It helps us measure a person’s recovery and document all related activities—counseling sessions, assignments, survey results, and time engaged with counselor. Most importantly, it helps us see patterns of behavior related to addiction which allows us to prescribe the best next step in the recovery process and document our effectiveness. This gives donors confidence that our treatment programs are effective and encourages them to invest additional money to help people in need.<\/p>\n\n
How does Sober Peer improve the quality of care? <\/strong>
\nThe system actively engages each client to participate in their recovery. Clients use a mobile device to confidentially answer questions about themselves which allows us to discover hidden issues and get deeper insights. It also spotlights trends and helps us develop best practices. One early example was that it takes 60-90 days for most clients to get comfortable with treatment and begin to deeply engage with their counselor. Since many treatment centers only have a 30-day program, clients that fit our profile don’t have the level of success under such a short format. Our data shows a hockey stick spike in engagement after 60-90 days as clients feel more comfortable and make solid prog-ress on the road to recovery. <\/p>\n\n
What seems to trigger this response? <\/strong>
\nSober Peer’s approach of letting the client answer questions confidentially throughout the week using a mobile device versus a traditional question-and-answer session with a counselor across a desk is a game changer. The client’s responses are summarized on a personalized dashboard which helps a counselor see the entire picture quickly and get insights on what areas need to be explored in their session. We’ve also seen how the system’s artificial intelligence is identifying areas where we can accelerate recovery through specific ways to work with the client. This environment helps build trust for both the counselor and the client. <\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer has sponsored 25 Global Teen Challenge counselors to become certified peer recovery coaches. Can you discuss the need for this training and its benefits? <\/strong>
\nWe are committed to continuously improving the care we provide our clients. CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© is a 5-day intensive training that provides our counselors with skills to help people that enter into or sustain long-term recovery from alcohol or other drugs. This training program is a key step for these coaches on the road to state certification. This is important because Sober Peer is working with a number of state agencies across the nation and we’ve targeted several states to have coaches ready to serve and provide qualified, professional support.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"30-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-30","LikeCount":5772,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":32,"Title":"Sober Peer Sponsors Training for 25 Recovery Coaches","Summary":"Sober Peer sponsored 25 counselors and coaches from the Teen Challenge National network to attend a one-week training from July 6-10 provided by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/conference.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer sponsored 25 counselors and coaches from the Teen Challenge National network to attend a one-week training from July 6-10 provided by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).
\nThe participants work as peer recovery and recovery coaches in 10 states and are in the process of integrating Sober Peer in their treatment programs.<\/p>\n\n
“CCAR is a global leader in training coaches working to help others recover from substance use disorders,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “By investing in their education, they can better deliver these services with empathy, compassion and purpose and we can help save lives.”<\/p>\n\n
The wide-ranging training program covered topics ranging from the five stages of recovery to the skill-based exercises involving motional conversations and active listening. Participants practiced working with patients to overcome common stigmas to substance use disorder such as “motiva-tions conversations” to encourage deeper connections with their clients. <\/p>\n\n
With this training, the coaches will be better prepared to use Sober Peer to help analyze behavioral signals gathered from each client to determine the best treatment pathway. Furthermore, partici-pants in the training also gain credits towards their state Peer Coach certification. <\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer is working with several states to utilize the coaches to help people leaving state prisons or local jails receive treatment. Many of these individuals will also need the care provided by Global Teen Challenge’s long-term residential treatment centers. <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"29-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-29","LikeCount":4132,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":31,"Title":"Recovery Dashboard Offers Clear, Powerful Patient Insights","Summary":"Counselors, coaches and others using Sober Peer can quickly assess the status and progress of their substance use disorder patients via their personalized client dashboard.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/dashboard_section2.png","HtmlContent":"
Counselors, coaches and others using Sober Peer can quickly assess the status and progress of their substance use disorder patients via their personalized client dashboard.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s artificial intelligence (AI) engine automatically assigns surveys to clients based on their previous survey responses to further probe specific behavior. The survey takes less than 2 minutes to complete. The client can complete the entire panel each month and get to deeper insights about their situation faster.<\/p>\n\n
Each client achieves a score in each category and counselors can read comments by their clients to determine how the recovery process is going. For example, in the “Thinking Differently” category, a client may record that “My past trauma is no longer an issue in my life.” Sober Peer now provides colorful graphs on the status of 12 different categories as part of its “Measures and Milestones” status report. Counselors can see a person’s progress in a wide range of categories that include Addiction, Independent Living, Hope for Success and Physical and Mental Health.<\/p>\n\n
“Our new design provides a clear summary of each client’s performance and helps their counselor better map out their journey to recovery,” said Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s CEO. “These insights help get to the core issues faster and speed the patient toward a lasting recovery.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"28-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-28","LikeCount":3311,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":30,"Title":"Use Digital Small Groups to Build Communities of Care","Summary":"Sober Peer’s technology is ideal for helping providers build community small groups to engage and support many different kinds of persons.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/smallgroups.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer’s technology is ideal for helping providers build community small groups to engage and support many different kinds of persons. During this time of social isolation, small groups are an important lifeline for individuals recovering from substance use disorder. Through these communi-ties of care, providers can deliver group therapy and members can support each other inside and outside meetings.<\/p>\n\n
We allow providers to create and advertise their small groups directly on our platform. Interested persons can search for a group based on course topic, day, time, group size, and several other fac-tors. Groups can be virtual, in-person or a combination and it’s quick and easy to subscribe and get started. Small groups can be accessed and attended through the Sober Peer mobile app and these digital groups are able to overcome the time, cost, distance and stigma barriers that affect many people struggling with addiction. <\/p>\n\n
The groups are designed to meet specific needs and this enables members to share their experienc-es and provide peer support to others who are dealing with similar issues. Examples of group types include: persons with a specific opioid, drug, or alcohol use disorders; family members and friends of a person with an SUD; and aftercare for individuals who have completed in-patient treatment.<\/p>\n\n
This type of group counseling also gives the provider an enormous amount of professional satis-faction. Through a structured platform, they can increase engagement while providing advice that helps each attendee member while providing them with information about how to avoid destructive behavior.<\/p>\n\n
We are often asked about the best way to start small groups. To envision how this can work, here’s an example of what one provider did to launch their small group practice:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
The provider met with local pastors, family practice physicians, hospital emergency rooms, and employers in their local community and neighboring areas. He provided them a link to share with interested persons. These community leaders shared it with their constituents and let them know that discreet, professional help is available through the app.<\/li>\n\t
Persons interested can attend an introductory class for free. The group leader or individuals attending the group are able to invite a guest to attend for free by sending a link from the mobile app.<\/li>\n\t
As part of its marketing, the provider offers group sessions at a much lower cost than one-on-one counseling. Clients that are most engaged with the group session are offered special pricing for one-on-one counseling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
The provider has several communities of care that are growing virally as members share and invite their friends, family and coworkers. <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"26-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-26","LikeCount":2488,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":29,"Title":"Sober Peer Science Discovers Behavioral Patterns that Lead to Recovery ","Summary":"CE Analytics, a leading data analytics company, recently completed a comprehensive review of Sober Peer work with its inaugural cohort of 1,463 patients from 47 treatment programs in 40 states and 2 Canadian provinces","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/signals.png","HtmlContent":"
CE Analytics, a leading data analytics company, recently completed a comprehensive review of Sober Peer work with its inaugural cohort of 1,463 patients from 47 treatment programs in 40 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The research study assessed the effectiveness of Sober Peer’s behavioral science technology that analyzes how patterns of negative behavior can be mathematically identified and clinically applied to reliably disrupt negative behavior factors associated with poor recovery outcomes from substance use disorder (SUD) patients.<\/p>\n\n
CE Analytics concluded that Sober Peer’s science “proves to be measurable, predictable and a precursor for prescriptive therapy in behavioral science—especially when used with mobile tech-nologies designed to reach new populations of substance users where care is not readily available or where addictive onset does not yet require intensive treatment.”<\/p>\n\n
Key Findings<\/strong>
\nA two-year behavioral science engineering effort and a 10-month applied research demonstration examined pattern behavior among substance users in a broad population.
\nSober Peer Behavioral Ratings discovered that mathematically identifiable patterns exist between at least 15 variables associated with behavior studied.<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
These patterns are common to substance users and act like fingerprints that are unique to each individual.<\/li>\n\t
When measured over time, these behavioral fingerprints are longitudinally scalable (like climbing a success ladder).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
As a result, clear progress towards recovery can be measured and scored, and success can be predicted. This data help augment diagnostics and decision-making by care providers.<\/p>\n\n
To make these findings scalable, a means to make collecting this data was developed to permit a patient to self-report via digital smart devices and a concept called “signaling” where: <\/p>\n\n
\n\t
Smartphone-based cognitive behavioral therapy and integrated group therapy generate hundreds of digital observation “signals” per patient each day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
The research states that Sober Peer’s patient-provided data is valuable for three reasons:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
First, it’s gathered through randomized questions presented daily to the client.<\/li>\n\t
Second, AI-driven polling reduces bias and stress versus traditional clinical observation.<\/li>\n\t
And, third, the practical nature of self-reporting allows patients to continuously report how they react to cravings and threats to their sobriety in real-time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Finally, the research determined that geo-tracking and patient-identified behavior triggers help disrupt spontaneous negative affect symptoms and moderate in-day cravings to support long-term cognitive reprogramming. <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"23-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-23","LikeCount":1667,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":28,"Title":"Conversations with Chandra Bandari","Summary":"Chief Information Officer Chandra Bandari is responsible for building Sober Peer’s payment platform, enabling healthcare providers to bill and receive payments for treatment of patients that qualify for Medicaid and other third-party insurance companies.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/chandra.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Chief Information Officer Chandra Bandari is responsible for building Sober Peer’s payment platform, enabling healthcare providers to bill and receive payments for treatment of patients that qualify for Medicaid and other third-party insurance companies. Below, Chandra discusses how Sober Peer’s technology will help providers grow their businesses.<\/p>\n\n
How Does Sober Peer Support Medicaid Payments?<\/strong>
\nApproximately 74 million people in the US receive health coverage under Medicaid, a federal government program for low-income people, including adults with disabilities and children. According to Medicaid.gov, nearly 12 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries over 18 years old have a substance use disorder. <\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer is now building an automated billing process as part of our enterprise system. As a result, providers can receive automated payments from Medicaid for their services. They don’t have to worry about manually gathering information and preparing an invoice for anyone that qualifies for Medicaid. Less time processing claims means more time used for engaging with patients and outreach for additional patients.<\/p>\n\n
Describe Your Healthcare Experience Can Help Providers. <\/strong>
\nI’ve worked in a variety of information technology positions in healthcare for more than 12 years. This experience includes working as the CIO for one of the largest mental health services providers in north Texas. I’ve helped outpatient clinic providers automate their claims processes to receive reimbursement from Medicaid.<\/p>\n\n
My experience with both the clinical side of healthcare and the claims workflow adds great value in automating Sober Peer’s claims processes. I have a detailed understanding of how healthcare billing works and I understand the importance of accurately submitting a claim. A system that works accurately and efficiently will help every provider be more productive and profitable.<\/p>\n\n
What Do Providers Need to Know?<\/strong>
\nIt starts with the patient enrollment and collecting consumer information. Providers need to verify the patient’s eligibility to ensure that the services are covered under Medicaid. Once the treatment begins, the provider documents the date of service, the diagnosis and the appropriate CPT codes with sufficient documentation for their services to submit a claim. Our automated billing system will handle the details of each claim.<\/p>\n\n
What Are the Benefits for Providers?<\/strong>
\nIt saves time, enabling healthcare professionals to engage for longer periods with each patient. It also enables them to see more patients, providing the potential for additional revenues. It also makes it easier for people with substance use disorders to receive treatment from a qualified professional. Because there will be no need for manual data input with Sober Peer, nearly all claims will be “clean,” and the reimbursement process will run smoothly.<\/p>\n\n
How is Medicaid Affected by Move to Telehealth?<\/strong>
\nWhile it was difficult to conduct telehealth appointments and be reimbursed before the onset of COVID-19, that’s all changed. Now, Medicaid and other programs will reimburse providers for telehealth services. We built Sober Peer from the start to fully integrate telehealth into all our services and it’s easy to use for both patients and providers. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is waiving key telehealth requirements allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive services with fewer restrictions. Bottom line, the rules for telehealth are changing to accommodate people that can benefit from this kind of treatment.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"17-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-17","LikeCount":844,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":27,"Title":"Sober Peer is A New NAADAC Member ","Summary":"As part of its commitment to help healthcare professionals treat people with substance use disorders, Sober Peer is now one of the newest members of NAADAC","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/assets.speakcdn.com\/assets\/2416\/naadac_logo_current3.png","HtmlContent":"
As part of its commitment to help healthcare professionals treat people with substance use disorders, Sober Peer is now one of the newest members of NAADAC. This is the Association for Addiction Professionals, which represents the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care profession-als in the United States, Canada and abroad.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer plans to help members understand how technology can help these professionals better treat their patients. The company has already demonstrated its commitment by sponsoring three NAADAC webinars in May and June.<\/p>\n\n
“Substance use disorders is the leading public health issue in the US today,” said Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “NAADAC’s education programs, clinical training and certification promote excellence in care by advocating for the highest quality and science-based services. We are proud to be a member of the organization and look forward to making a valuable contribution to the people and communities it serves.” <\/p>\n","DatePublished":"13-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-13","LikeCount":5890,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":26,"Title":"Teen Challenge Steps Up","Summary":"Shawn Blankenship has seen it all in 25 years of working with people with substance use disorders. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/ShawnB-circle.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Shawn Blankenship has seen it all in 25 years of working with people with substance use disorders. A former counselor, he’s also managed two Teen Challenge organizations in Oklahoma, overseen a substance use disorder program in Aruba and held a wide variety of other positions in the continuum of care. In 2019, he worked as a consultant to oversee Sober Peer’s initial deploy-ment that treated more than 1,000 people during its first year.<\/p>\n\n
Based in Columbus, Georgia, Shawn is now the project manager for Global Teen Challenge’s initia-tive to install Sober Peer into all its locations worldwide. So far, he has completed deployments in 50 Teen Challenge Centers and aims to complete another 40 by year end. Here he discusses how Sober Peer is transforming treatment for clients with substance use disorder.<\/p>\n\n

\nWhy Is Sober Peer a Game Changer?<\/strong>
\nIts technology enables us to find the cause of a person’s substance use quicker than traditional counseling. In a traditional counseling program, it takes time for a person to trust their counselor. They are sitting face-to-face and often can’t even admit they have a drug or alcohol problem.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer starts by requiring each person in treatment to answer questions on a computer or smartphone. Instead of “yes” or “no” answers, the person has a range of choices. If they “slightly agree” to a question, that may be a sign there’s an issue that needs to be addressed. We’re more apt to crack open the door, understand a person’s issues and begin treatment.
\nOn average, instead of taking 90 days to discover the cause of a person’s substance use issues, it will take half that time, maybe less, with Sober Peer. And, patients like taking the surveys. They know they are being heard and can play a role in their treatment.<\/p>\n\n
How Does Sober Peer Improve Patient Accountability?<\/strong>
\nOne of the biggest obstacles to care is holding each person accountable. Sober Peer monitors each person and provides a score for their behavior. It makes each person more accountable and forces them to be more honest.
\nHere’s a good example: I’ve had patients with major drug or alcohol issues suffer overdoses three or four times. But when the answers on their surveys don’t match up with their behavior, we can confront them. We know they haven’t come to grips with their problems. By monitoring their behavior, you can hold them accountable and guide them toward recovery.
\nI’ve talked to people that have relapsed after 12 months and needed to go back into care. They said if they had Sober Peer, and the information it provides, they may have found their issues earlier and may not have relapsed.<\/p>\n\n
How Will Sober Peer Help Sustain Recovery? <\/strong>
\nAftercare is the most difficult part of any substance use treatment. After a person leaves a treatment program, there is often no one there to help them.
\nThe app enables anyone to receive support from a counselor or friends and stay connected. That’s the most important part of recovery. They can fall back into bad habits because of isolation, and it’s easy to make one mistake and feel shame. The app provides a connection to a community. And, don’t think Facebook is the answer. They need a place where people just like them can talk about recovery.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s trigger warning system lets a patient map trouble spots and get notified if they are tempted to visit these places. These spots include places they bought or used drugs, drank with friends or did other things related to their addiction. The patient’s counselor also gets notified, allowing either of them to chat via text or to call each other. This prevents relapses and empowers the patient to seek help at the exact moment they need it. It also gives them confidence to know a visit to the wrong place doesn’t have to turn into a mistake they will regret later.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-10","LikeCount":5069,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":25,"Title":"Q&A with Carrie Slatton-Hodges","Summary":"Carrie Slatton-Hodges has been one of our nation’s most innovative state officials in the battle against substance use disorders. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/CarrieSlatton-Hodges.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Carrie Slatton-Hodges has been one of our nation’s most innovative state officials in the battle against substance use disorders. The commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, she previously served as the department’s deputy commissioner, overseeing treatment and recovery services through state-operated and contract treatment provid-ers statewide.<\/p>\n\n

\nSlatton-Hodges has transformed the delivery of treatment services through innovative programs and strategically leveraged resources to improve Oklahoma’s behavioral health. This includes the launch of Urgent Behavioral Health Care Centers, integrating Comprehensive Community Addiction Recovery Centers, developing a system of ambulatory detoxification services and making the tran-sition to an outcome-based payment system for Community Behavioral Health Centers.
\nSober Peer asked Commissioner Slatton-Hodges to address key issues now facing treatment for people with substance use disorders. Below, she provides critical insight into her state’s approach:<\/p>\n\n
Access to Services is the Key. <\/strong>This has always been the challenge - linking people to the right services at the right time. However, through innovation and the expanded use of technology, we are making progress. This includes the delivery of treatment services along with needed links to follow-up care and recovery supports.<\/p>\n\n

\nSeeking the Best Solutions<\/strong>. It is not a question of whether or not we can find a solution as much as it is an unwavering commitment to the fact that we must and we will create the means to address addiction in our state, for the benefit of all Oklahomans. The means to do that is through technology and expanded partnerships with others working toward the same goal.<\/p>\n\n

\nImportance of Telehealth in Treatment. <\/strong>Our department has championed the use of tele-health as a means to expand services across the state and particularly in rural areas where provider locations aren’t as easily accessed. This has led to significant advancements through the years, expanding the number of Oklahomans being served and keeping costs contained. A big part of this effort has been the ability to deliver medication-assisted treatment services to address opioid addic-tion. In fact, Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n
The Impact of Not Helping Those in Need. <\/strong>Addiction, left untreated or under-treated, nega-tively impacts a person’s day-to-day functioning, causes emotional suffering and contributes to a di-minished quality of life. It leads to significant negative social and economic impacts on communities through lost productivity and increased homelessness and unemployment, and places increased demands on health care, academic, criminal justice and social service systems.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"08-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-08","LikeCount":4232,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":24,"Title":"Sober Peer Expands into Oklahoma","Summary":"Sober Peer announced that its breakthrough technology platform and mobile app are now available to residents of Oklahoma. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/6\/66\/Downtown_Oklahoma_City_skyline_at_twilight.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer announced that its breakthrough technology platform and mobile app are now available to residents of Oklahoma. Substance use rehabilitation centers in two cities in Oklahoma are now using these tools to help people move from addiction to sobriety. According to the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 459,000 people in Oklahoma need treatment for substance use disorders, but aren’t receiving it.<\/p>\n\n
“Oklahoma has hundreds of thousands of people at risk, but aren’t receiving care, for their substance use disorders,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “By combining behavioral science with a mobile app, our technology platform can speed the recovery of a person with substance use disorder at lower costs than traditional forms of care.” <\/p>\n\n
The rehabilitation centers using Sober Peer’s enterprise system are located in Stillwater and Sapulpa. Also, anyone with addiction issues or family or friends of a substance user can download the app for free to get help immediately.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer is digital health technology that delivers the science behind the behavior of persons who practice risky drug and alcohol use. It does this by:<\/p>\n\n
• Reaching people who are hard to reach through a mobile health app that removes distance, cost, and stigma barriers by directly connecting patients and care providers.
\n• Delivering socially generated data 24\/7— up to 500 behavioral “signals” captured each day and analyzed to identify behavior patterns for early intervention opportunities.
\n• Encouraging long-term post-treatment accountability by keeping the client digitally-connected.
\n• Leveraging the treatment community by paying providers directly as a capitated, incentive-based workforce to deliver up to 10x greater care coverage.<\/p>\n\n
“We provide continuous, responsive care that produces better outcomes than traditional care,” DeShields said. “And during COVID-19, Sober Peer’s mobile app can reach those who find it diffi-cult to meet with a counselor or healthcare professional in person. Our “Behavioral Science, Made Mobile” approach is helping transform the recovery process.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"05-Jun-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-06-05","LikeCount":3397,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":23,"Title":"Conversations with Mark Cole, COO of Sober Peer","Summary":"He previously was chief executive officer of HLP, a social enterprise technology company that helped more than 750,000 families achieve and sustain homeownership through its collaboration platforms. Mark has more than 25 years of experience as a leading a wide variety of national organizations helping people overcome obstacles—making him a perfect fit for Sober Peer.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/themreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cole-6.09-240x300.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Mark Cole is Sober Peer’s chief operating officer. He previously was chief executive officer of HLP, a social enterprise technology company that helped more than 750,000 families achieve and sustain homeownership through its collaboration platforms. Mark has more than 25 years of experience as a leading a wide variety of national organizations helping people overcome obstacles—making him a perfect fit for Sober Peer.<\/p>\n\n
Why did you join Sober Peer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We have entered a new era where technology is fundamentally reshaping service delivery and out-comes. The scale and severity of the addiction epidemic is staggering and I want to be a part of it helping tackle the problem and bringing hope to these individuals and families. We’ve built a unique digital health platform that delivers the science behind the behavior of persons who practice risky drug and alcohol use. Our mobile app empowers people to be fully engaged in their recovery and receive continuous, responsive care that produces better outcomes. We are also closing the gap that has prevented millions of people from getting treatment by overcoming key barriers, such as distance, cost and the stigma of addiction.<\/p>\n\n
How is the COVID-19 crisis accelerating innovation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
This crisis has made incorporating technology undeniably necessary. It’s the perfect tool for people who can’t see their healthcare providers face-to-face, as our app helps them maintain constant contact with a healthcare provider versus waiting weeks for an appointment. And the impact has been profound as people realize how much time is wasted with traditional approaches and that many clients are more comfortable using their smart phone to engage. While the pandemic is also costing state governments billions of dollars, our technology saves them money by reaching at-risk patients to maintain their care. Sober Peer produces better outcomes for these patients while saving governments expenses associated with jail, welfare and healthcare and other services.<\/p>\n\n
Why is Sober Peer’s technology a “game changer”?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Each day, we collect up to 500 behavioral science data points—we call them Sober Signals—from each patient. Using artificial intelligence, we analyze that data and turn it into simple, actionable advice. The data for each patient is summarized on a personal dashboard that measures and tracks their progress, giving healthcare providers new and better insights. Psychologists, counselors and coaches can also rely on observations and recommendations generated by our artificial intelligence system to help treat patients with more and better information than in the past. Our telehealth capa-bilities also enable continuous care through text chat, voice and video sessions. <\/p>\n\n
Discuss Sober Peer’s role of an intermediary in the treatment process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
We’re using our technology to bring together all the stakeholders in the recovery sector to collab-orate on creating lasting solutions—persons with substance use disorder, treatment professionals, government, researchers, trade & professional groups, concerned persons, and advocates. This allows us to engage thought leaders, policy makers, and practitioners to incorporate best practices and innovations into Sober Peer. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, we are recruiting counselors and coaches across the country to join our network. We pay member providers to care for recovering substance users enrolled on our platform. Our community includes people in recovery, certified peer coaches, licensed counselors, crisis teams and other mental health and substance use providers. Our technology plays a critical role in closing the treat-ment gap as a counselor can serve up to 10 times as many clients with greater effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n
Why are you optimistic that Sober Peer can work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
The results from our initial deployment to 22 centers in 16 states are quite impressive. Extensive testing confirms that the platform is helping patients get to the core issues faster and speeding up the recovery process—81% of counselors said our platform fundamentally reshaped their patient relationships for the better; 66% reported a deeper understanding of their patients; and 88% reported post-treatment support greatly improved. These outcomes are all great reasons to be optimistic.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"29-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-29","LikeCount":2572,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":21,"Title":"The Answer To Treatment During COVID-19 — Our Mobile App ","Summary":"Even though the nation is beginning to resume regular activities, millions of people will avoid visit-ing public places for a long period.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/doctor_graphic.png","HtmlContent":"
Even though the nation is beginning to resume regular activities, millions of people will avoid visit-ing public places for a long period. This includes people with substance use disorders. This means people needing treatment will likely avoid medical buildings and treatment centers where they will come in contact with others—especially those they feel could be infected.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s mobile app can help fill the needs of patients, healthcare providers and the states with virtual counseling. “It’s the best way to maintain treatment and also reach out to others that hav-en’t been getting treatment,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “At the same time, it lowers the cost of treatment while providing new patients for providers.”<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer can play a significant role in filling the treatment gap. Here’s why:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Social Distancing. Many substance use treatment centers closed temporarily in recent weeks and others aren’t taking new patients as they scramble to make offices safe. At the same time, too much free time is causing relapses and traditional telemedicine has been inadequate to meet this growing need. Our platform allows for individual and group telehealth sessions to continue care.<\/p>\n\n
Financial Stress. <\/strong>More than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since March, causing financial stress for many people and making traditional care unaffordable for many people. The loss of jobs and income for so many Americans means healthcare professionals are treating fewer patients. Many other families have lost their medical insurance. Our platform offers a simple, affordable monthly subscription that makes treatment accessible to all. <\/p>\n\n
No Room at the Inn<\/strong>. On top of these trends, many long-term residential care facilities may not have the capacity to admit new patients. Others worry that new patients may not have been tested for the virus or are asymptomatic. Our mobile app allows treatment centers to enroll patients and start treatment until a space in the facility opens up.<\/p>\n\n
State Budgets Are Being Cut.<\/strong> The closing of businesses across the nation and lower revenues for several industries, such as airlines, energy and hospitality, are causing huge shortfalls in tax revenues for all states. Governors are cutting their budgets now and for the next fiscal year, which will mean lower funding to treat people with substance use disorders. Our technology allows each counselor to serve more patients—both through telehealth and our behavioral science that makes each interaction more efficient and effective. <\/p>\n\n
“Our technology is the answer healthcare professionals need—both short- and long-term—to help their patients and grow their practice” DeShields says. “Together, we can help millions of people receive treatment by overcoming the barriers of distance, cost and the stigma of addiction.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"23-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-23","LikeCount":865,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":20,"Title":"Sober Peer Helps Treat My Students In Real Time","Summary":"The dashboard is my favorite Sober Peer feature. It gives me a quick, real-time view of a student’s progress at any point in time. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media-exp1.licdn.com\/dms\/image\/C5603AQGBC_cYrONoSQ\/profile-displayphoto-shrink_200_200\/0?e=1610582400&v=beta&t=D6QJZUWOzbrD2-9wzl_8_SnZ6GR8_y0zdctYhGLuWT0","HtmlContent":"
By Michael Hope,
\nDirector at Hoving Home, Pasadena, California<\/p>\n\n
The dashboard is my favorite Sober Peer feature<\/strong>. It gives me a quick, real-time view of a student’s progress at any point in time.<\/p>\n\n
We began using Sober Peer in August 2019. Since then, our six counselors and coaches have used it to treat approximately 60 women with drug and alcohol issues.<\/p>\n\n
As the director of a substance use rehabilitation facility for women, my staff and I need timely in-formation to be effective counselors. Before I speak with a student, I can check their dashboard to determine their progress on the severity of their addiction, their psychosocial profile and their faith. It gives me a deeper understanding of each student’s behavior, saves time and makes me more effective.<\/p>\n\n
The students begin each day answering a short questionnaire on Sober Peer that provides a com-prehensive view of their lives. They answer questions about their employment and financial situation, family life, mental and physical health, legal issues and use of alcohol, drug and other substances. We find out if they are working regularly, suffering from any physical pain or may be experiencing marital problems.<\/p>\n\n
I can look quickly at their daily responses and measure their progress to determine how their recov-ery is going. In addition to the three main indicators already mentioned, we can see their progress in five key behaviors: discovering hope, deciding to change, finding purpose, eating healthy and thinking differently. If I notice they aren’t engaged in regular activities, and seem to be having a bad day, I check these measurements to see if there is a pattern of behavior that we need to address.<\/p>\n\n
Before we used Sober Peer, we maintained paper files on each student. We didn’t have any infor-mation about any student other than our own fact gathering process. It often took several months and many meetings with each student to find the information we gather every day.<\/p>\n\n
Now, it’s different. Let’s say there’s an argument between two women. Both may suffer from child abuse issues; words are exchanged about a topic and tempers flare. I can quickly check Sober Peer to understand behavior patterns from each woman to probe their angst and bring a deeper level of understanding to the conversation. I can treat them more quickly and effectively.<\/p>\n\n
The information we get now help me bring a different level of treatment to each student. And that means we can help more people recover and get back their lives. And that’s what it’s all about.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"22-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-22","LikeCount":6044,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":11,"Title":"Sober Peer Expands National Footprint with Offices in Florida and Georgia","Summary":"New Technology Platform Uses Artificial Intelligence to Treat More People with Substance Abuse Disorders, Speed Recovery and Lower Costs","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/offices.jpg","HtmlContent":"
New Technology Platform Uses Artificial Intelligence to Treat More People with Substance Abuse Disorders, Speed Recovery and Lower Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Dallas, May 21, 2020 – <\/strong>Sober Peer<\/a> today announced that its breakthrough technology platform and mobile app are now available in substance use rehabilitation centers in eight cities in Florida and Georgia to help people move from addiction to sobriety.<\/p>\n\n
According to the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.49 million people in Florida and 1 million people in Georgia need treatment for substance use disorders, but aren’t receiving it.<\/p>\n\n
“We are entering two states where almost 3.5 million people are at risk, but aren’t receiving care, for their substance use disorders,” says Ed DeShields, Sober Peer’s founder and chief executive officer. “Because our technology platform combines behavioral science with a mobile app, we can reach the entire population of Florida and Georgia and produce better outcomes at less cost than traditional forms of care.”<\/p>\n\n
In Florida, the centers are located in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Fort Myers, Sanford and Davie. In Georgia, the rehabilitation centers are in Columbus and Dublin.<\/p>\n\n
There are three fundamental ideas behind Sober Peer’s “Behavioral Science, Made Mobile” approach to transforming addiction recovery:<\/p>\n\n
Artificial Intelligence to Analyze Patient Data.<\/strong> Our technology tracks up to 500 pieces of behavioral data daily for each patient, turning it into a personal dashboard that measures and tracks each patient’s progress during rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n
Leverages Smart Phones to Make Care Accessible.<\/strong> Patients receive continuous care by engaging with their healthcare professional through our smart phone app, removing several treatment obstacles, including the distance from providers and the stigma of admitting substance abuse.<\/p>\n\n
Makes Professional Help Affordable. <\/strong>Approximately 89 percent of the 20 million Americans with substance abuse issues don’t seek treatment. Our app lowers the cost of treatment and has the potential to significantly expand a professional’s capacity to serve more clients.<\/p>\n\n
“Our technology delivers the science behind the behavior of people who practice risky drug and alcohol use,” DeShields says. “Unlike electronic health records, this unique tool can measure and identify behavior patterns to help each person receive treatment. We have a deep sense of urgency about helping millions of people receive treatment by overcoming key barriers, such as distance, cost and the stigma of addiction.”<\/p>\n\n
As part of the initial launch last year, Sober Peer tested its platform at 22 addiction recovery sites in 16 states. Extensive testing confirms that the platform is helping treatment professionals iden-tify core issues faster and speed up the recovery process. 81 percent of counselors told us that our platform fundamentally reshaped their relationships for the better and 66% reported a deeper understanding of their clients.<\/p>\n\n
Media Contact: Scott Scredon, scott@soberpeer.com<\/a> or 770-315-0745.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"21-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-21","LikeCount":4324,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":19,"Title":"Leading The Fight Against Opioid-Use Disorder","Summary":"Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is one of the nation’s leaders in fighting substance abuse.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/carr_headshot.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is one of the nation’s leaders in fighting substance abuse. As part of his commitment to help people with substance use disorders, he established and leads the Statewide Opioid Task Force—which has more than 400 members.<\/p>\n\n

\nIn an op-ed published in September 2019 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Attorney General Carr said an estimated 180,000 Georgians are living with an opioid-use disorder. He wrote “Each number that makes up this total represents an opportunity to reach someone who is struggling, and we must do all we can to support them and their families.”<\/p>\n\n

\nSober Peer recently asked Attorney General Carr to address how the COVID-19 virus is having an impact on substance abuse treatment and how the state is continuing to address the opioid issue.
\n“The coronavirus has altered the way we live, work and raise our families,” he said. “Our Statewide Opioid Task Force also had to adjust given the unique set of circumstances.<\/p>\n\n

\n“We knew our work could not stop during the pandemic, because we knew that an increase in substance abuse could likely be an unintended consequence of social distancing requirements.” Carr said the state hosted a virtual meeting of the Statewide Opioid Task Force to hear from experts on the following questions:<\/p>\n\n
1.   How is the Coronavirus pandemic affecting those with substance abuse issues—and specifically opioid abuse?
\n2.   What steps are organizations taking to address substance abuse issues—and specifically opioid abuse—during the Coronavirus pandemic?
\n3.   What resources are available to those who are battling substance abuse—and specifically opioid abuse—during the Coronavirus pandemic?
\n4.   Should we be aware of as it relates to substance abuse—and specifically opioid abuse—and the Coronavirus?<\/p>\n\n
The attorney general’s office has received an update from many members on these categories. “We continue to help support our members as we fight addiction and help those in long-term recovery,” Carr said.
\nThe Attorney General understands people fighting substance abuse have several obstacles to over-come. But also knows there are solutions. In his op-ed, he provided these encouraging words:<\/p>\n\n

\n“Stigma has a way of silencing those who are in pain and crippling people by making them socially invisible. More importantly, stigma often keeps people from asking for help.<\/p>\n\n
“If we can take positive steps towards ending the stigma associated with opioid-use disorder, we can lift up our neighbors who are struggling with addiction, give a voice to all who are silently suffering and lend our hand to all that so desperately need our support.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"16-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-16","LikeCount":5216,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":18,"Title":"Partnering with State Governments to Stretch Resources and Improve Outcomes","Summary":"Sober Peer is busy forming partnerships with state governments around the nation to help treat people with substance use disorders.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/handshake.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer is busy forming partnerships with state governments around the nation to help treat people with substance use disorders. In recent months, meetings to deploy our platform have been held with a wide range of government officials in more than 20 states, including Texas, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n
“We want to be partners with state governments by providing access to a digital network to serve their clients,” said Bill Dudley, Sober Peer’s government affairs liaison. “By engaging directly with state leaders, we can more easily reach their citizens who will get the most benefit from new mobile health technology.”<\/p>\n\n
State budgets have been crushed by loss of tax revenue and expenses related to the pandemic. There are a number of options for state government to utilize Sober Peer for stretching their budgets and improving treatment outcomes, including:<\/p>\n\n
• Treatment Centers.<\/strong> State-run facilities use the platform for both in-patient and outpatient services. Through the mobile app, we help citizens who don’t have a treatment provider nearby or start treatments when there aren’t any in-patient spaces available. Post-treatment follow-up and support through Sober Peer help sustain hard-won recovery progress.
\n• Family & Children’s Services<\/strong>. Nearly half of all families who receive public assistance have some kind of substance use issue that impact the household. Sober Peer offers a sup-port tool for families to learn how to engage with family members’ addiction issues.
\n• Health and Human Services<\/strong>. Our subscription can paid as a reimbursable expense for people that qualify for Medicaid. Military Veterans Services. Many veterans struggle with addiction issues and Sober Peer offers a simple way to stay connected and provide continuous care as an outpatient telehealth solu-tion that can be used individually or as group support tool.
\n• Jail\/Drug Court.<\/strong> As the costs of incarceration continue to skyrocket, our platform offers a simple, secure way to engage person in diversion programs, as well as probation and parole. The geo-fencing function and cognitive behavioral tools serve as a digital ankle bracelet for managing probation\/treatment.<\/p>\n\n
“Considering social distancing and other COVID-19 concerns, both states and healthcare providers understand that mobile technology is tailor-made for their clients, who use smart phone apps for everything,” says Dudley. “It’s a tool that provides greater behavioral insight much more quickly and reduces the need for in-person visits while giving healthcare professionals more time to treat more people.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"10-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-10","LikeCount":4378,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":22,"Title":"Healthcare Providers Are Our Financial Partners ","Summary":"Sober Peer is designed to be affordable, scalable, and to complement your existing business model.","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/doctor_consult.jpg","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer is designed to be affordable, scalable, and to complement your existing business model. We have a variety of plans and pricing options to fit your needs and approach to treating clients. We’ve outlined our pricing below and are happy to talk you through the best way to implement Sober Peer in your practice.<\/p>\n\n
But did you know that we will pay you when a person needing treatment finds you using the Sober Peer app? Each day, we have persons with substance use disorder and friends and family mem-bers downloading the Sober Peer app who need to connect with a treatment professional for advice and support. By joining the Sober Peer network, we will publish your profile to our app users and pay you for services when an app user selects you as their provider!<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"01-May-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-05-01","LikeCount":1770,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":false},{"NewsId":12,"Title":"What Is Sober Peer—Behavioral Science Made Mobile!","Summary":"Sober Peer is a new mobile health platform designed to help substance users move from addiction to sobriety","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/SP_Logo.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer is a new mobile health platform designed to help substance users move from addiction to sobriety. Our digital health technology delivers the science behind the behavior of persons who practice risky drug and alcohol use. Using artificial intelligence, our technology predicts client behavior that aids in better recovery outcomes. This new approach is unlike any other platforms designed for those suffering from substance abuse.
\nSober Peer’s creators want to produce better outcomes for substance abuse patients. Our technology platform embraces three big ideas that can reimagine addiction recovery:<\/p>\n\n

\nUses Artificial Intelligence to Analyze Patient Data. <\/strong>Our technology can track approximately 500 pieces of behavioral data daily for each patient. A substance abuse counselor or healthcare provider can use this information to find issues hidden by the patient. This information allows for deeper insight that will lead to a faster and lasting recovery.<\/p>\n\n

\nLeverage the Universal Use of Smart Phones. <\/strong>People with substance abuse issues can engage with their healthcare professional and others through a smart phone app. The phone also allows us to collect data on each patient, which enables the healthcare professional to provide continuous care over the phone.<\/p>\n\n

\nIn addition, a smart phone has these advantages:<\/p>\n\n
•   It reaches more people by removing several obstacles, such as the distance from providers, cost of service and the stigma of admitting a substance abuse use. It also gives the patient the option of meeting over the phone.
\n•   It delivers immediate professional advice and intervention.
\n•   Through geo-fencing, it provides notifications when users get too close to a tavern or place where they may purchase drugs.
\n•   It ensures a HIPAA-compliant environment that protects patient privacy.<\/p>\n\n
Makes Professional Help Affordable and Accessible<\/strong>. This idea is critical in reaching the 89 percent of substance users who don’t seek treatment.
\nBy measuring and scoring the recovery process, Sober Peer helps predict patient outcomes and prescribes one-to-one protocols. And it also has these benefits:<\/p>\n\n
•   It improves patient engagement and better outcomes at a lower cost.
\n•   It simplifies data, reporting, documentation, billing, and preparation of treatment plans.
\n•   It has the potential to significantly expand a professional’s capacity to serve more clients.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"14-Apr-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-04-14","LikeCount":5408,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":13,"Title":"Sober Peer Platform Shows Deeper Patient Insight Leads to Faster Recovery","Summary":"Any healthcare professional or counselor wants to know if technology can help them and their sub-stance abuse patients. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/face.png","HtmlContent":"
Research Included MIT, Harvard Peer Review of AI-Drive Platform<\/strong>
\nAny healthcare professional or counselor wants to know if technology can help them and their sub-stance abuse patients. And they want independent verification that the technology platform is viable. We rigorously tested our ideas and platform to ensure it delivers on the promise to bring the science behind understanding client behavior to improving treatment. Our validation efforts included 7-week peer reviews of the artificial intelligence and machine learning components at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computer Science and AI Lab; and the platform model at Harvard University Business School.<\/p>\n\n
Development of our platform began near the end of 2018 and beta testing began in 2019. The pilot deployment included 22 addiction recovery centers in 16 states. Early responses from substance abuse coaches and counselors show the platform is helping counselors identify core issues faster and is speeding up the recovery process.<\/p>\n\n
Sober Peer’s beta tests produced these findings from substance abuse coaches and counselors that are encouraging. Here is what they said:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
81% Reshapes relationship with patient.<\/li>\n\t
66% Deepens understanding of your patient. <\/li>\n\t
88% Makes post-care relationship meaningful.<\/li>\n\t
64% Will increase share of post-program data via app.<\/li>\n\t
63% Will serve more persons in non-traditional programs.<\/li>\n\t
63% Will use mobile solution as a first step to sobriety.<\/li>\n\t
73% Concerned persons benefit from using the app. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","DatePublished":"14-Apr-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-04-14","LikeCount":6309,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":14,"Title":"How Sober Peer Helps My Students by Rev. Jason Peltier","Summary":"I know how hard it is to get the right treatment for substance abuse. Twice, in 2008 and 2013, I needed treatment to help overcome my own substance abuse issues. ","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/f.hubspotusercontent10.net\/hubfs\/7393862\/Rev.JasonPeltier.jfif","HtmlContent":"
I know how hard it is to get the right treatment for substance abuse. Twice, in 2008 and 2013, I needed treatment to help overcome my own substance abuse issues. <\/p>\n\n
I’ve been a counselor here since 2014, helping others on their road to recovery. But during the past year, we’ve taken a new approach that is helping us treat people more quickly and with better re-sults. We are now using Sober Peer, a new mobile health platform that helps us better assess the cause of our students’ substance abuse issues. It also helps us measure each person’s progress and recommend treatment during the recovery process.<\/p>\n\n
During the past year, more than 20 students at our residential facility here have received Sober Peer behavioral support with their recovery. Here’s how it helps:<\/p>\n\n
It Starts with Sober Signals<\/strong>. Each student fills out a weekly survey that provides a compre-hensive view of their life. They answer questions about their employment and financial situation, family life, mental and physical health, legal issues and use of alcohol, drug and other substances. We find out if they are working regularly, suffering from any physical pain or may be experiencing marital problems.
\nThe answers we get from these surveys are “game changers” that deepen our understanding of the problems they face and how we can help. It helps us recognize problems the student may never admit in a face-to-face conversation, especially during the first months of treatment when they often don’t trust others.<\/p>\n\n
Evaluation and Treatment.<\/strong> Sober Peer takes the Sober Signals answers and calculates a weekly score for each person, allowing us to see the severity of their addiction and state of their mental health. With this profile, we can better understand their mindset and the reasons they are struggling to control their addiction.<\/p>\n\n
Poor scores in one or more categories reshape our relationship with each person. If the weekly scores are good one week and poor the next week, we can probe to determine the cause of the downturn. For example, they may have recently lost a job or fought with their spouse, which caused a drop in their self-esteem. Once we have that information, it enables us to bring a new level of care to the mentoring process.<\/p>\n\n
How Sober Peer Helps Us<\/strong>. A poor score enables our counselors to improve our treatment for each student. For example, one of our students scored poorly on the survey measuring his mental health. He had low self-esteem; he was overweight and often made up stories about his accom-plishments.<\/p>\n\n
We are a Christian ministry, so in conjunction with Sober Peer’s reporting system, we are able to provide a more detailed and area focused treatment plan for this student and all others. <\/p>\n\n
Lessons Learned.<\/strong> I believe that if Sober Peer was used for my own treatment several year ago, a more focused treatment and mentoring plan could have taken place. It really would have helped during the first few months of the program when I was going through mixed emotions of anger, lack of faith, and trust in the authority over me. I believe Sober Peer could have brought to light the deeper issues that I may not have wanted to admit or discover in the first few months of treatment.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"14-Apr-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-04-14","LikeCount":903,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":15,"Title":"Sober Peer’s Foundation for Treatment— Sober Signals","Summary":"Sober Peer is digital health technology that delivers the science behind the behavior of persons who practice risky drug and alcohol use","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/media.soberpeer.com\/public\/Images\/trigger_alert.png","HtmlContent":"
Sober Peer is digital health technology that delivers the science behind the behavior of persons who practice risky drug and alcohol use. After securing the client’s express permission, our mobile app collects up to 500 behavioral Sober SignalsTM per day per client. These signals are gathered through the client’s interactions with the App through activities such as reporting their mood, taking surveys, making posts or comments, chatting with their counselor, completing a tele-health session, managing their trigger places, and other activities. These Sober Signals are shared in real-time and are continuously analyzed by our AI to assess, measure, predict and prescribe the best next steps. This ability to translate mountains of data into clear patterns of behavior offers deeper insights for treatment professionals and result in better advice, treatment plans, and outcomes.<\/p>\n\n
Here’s an example of how this approach works in an in-patient facility. To begin treatment for sub-stance abuse, each person using Sober Peer answers questions about their life. This information provides their coaches and counselors with a baseline of information to assess their situation, measure their progress and recommend treatment. Successive surveys help create an AI-assisted “ladders and measures science” that brings patterns of success to light as recovery techniques are applied.<\/p>\n\n
Most counselors ask many of these questions in a face-to-face setting. But as every counselor knows, a person suffering from substance abuse doesn’t always answer honestly.<\/p>\n\n
“Most people coming for help don’t trust authority,” says Rev. Jason Peltier, Program Manager, Teen Challenge Southeast Region. “You don’t see them opening up right off the bat. The surveys are big ‘game changers’, helping us recognize problems the student may never admit verbally.”<\/p>\n\n
The questions fall into the major assessment categories of: Discovering Hope, Deciding to Change, Finding Purpose, Thinking Differently and Living Healthy. Questions include:<\/p>\n\n
Substance Use and Abuse. Days using alcohol, heroin or other drugs in the past 30 days; days alcohol intoxication in the past 30 days.<\/p>\n\n
Employment and Income. <\/strong>How much did you receive from employment in the past 30 days? How much money did you receive from illegal sources in the past 30 days?<\/p>\n\n
Ability to Travel to a Job.<\/strong> Do you have an automobile and a valid driver’s license?<\/p>\n\n
Medical Condition<\/strong>. Have you been troubled or bothered by your medical problems in the past 30 days?<\/p>\n\n
Legal Issues. <\/strong>How serious do you feel your present legal problems are? How important is coun-seling for these legal problems?<\/p>\n\n
Mental Health.<\/strong> Experienced serious anxiety or depression in the past 30 days?<\/p>\n\n
Family<\/strong>. How many days in the past 30 have you had serious conflicts with your family? Are you satisfied with your current marital situation?<\/p>\n\n
Once a person answers these questions, Sober Peer gives them a score and can begin tracking and measuring their progress. This allows for deeper insight their counselor uses to follow their progress and recommend the best treatment possible.<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"14-Apr-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-04-14","LikeCount":1805,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true},{"NewsId":16,"Title":"Conversations with Ed DeShields","Summary":"Ed DeShields is the founder and chief executive officer of Sober Peer","ImageUrl":"https:\/\/res-2.cloudinary.com\/crunchbase-production\/image\/upload\/c_thumb,h_256,w_256,f_auto,g_faces,z_0.7,q_auto:eco\/grc14qowrxwng7o61plx","HtmlContent":"
Ed DeShields is the founder and chief executive officer of Sober Peer, a new mobile health technology platform that helps reach millions of consumers who practice risky drug or alcohol use. The platform uses artificial intelligence to produce evidence-based out-comes. Ed’s expertise in this field was recognized in October 2018 at the White House when he joined 20 other business leaders to commit their expertise and organizational resources to help curb the opioid crisis.<\/p>\n\n
Why Did You Decide to Found Sober Peer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
“We need to produce better outcomes for substance use patients. And, we need to reach far more people who suffer, but cannot easily get help. During our research for this project, we demonstrated that a mobile health platform, empowered with artificial intelligence, can help people to recover and live a normal life. With our early adopter client relationships, we made it our number one goal to combine advanced mathematics and assessment tools to make it easier to treat substance abuse in the US and worldwide. We searched the world for almost every assessment tool we could find and reinvented a way to identify and communicate risky behavior. We can help many more people while lowering the cost of treatment.”<\/p>\n\n
What Do You Hope to Accomplish, Both Personally and Professionally?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
“My companies have been studying consumer behavior for 20 years. In that work, we produced more than 10 million personal recovery plans based on behavioral science. That background got me interested in reinventing treatment practices. I can’t think of a better way to give back than to bring that capability to the mental health space. Unfortunately, there are more than 20 million people in the US who aren’t receiving adequate treatment. The use of smartphones as a delivery system means treatment is now deliverable to anyone. But we had to make the smart phone really smart and con-nect it a powerful big data engine. Digital health combined with analytical science is one of the most promising applications in healthcare. We have the potential to create a lasting impact on society.”<\/p>\n\n
Why is Sober Peer the Answer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
“We’ve created a new way to assess and treat substance use disorder. With artificial intelligence we can assess, measure and predict a person’s behavior to encourage change. We can also rec-ommend treatment guidance by recognizing patterns. Our delivery system connects patients online with health professionals, giving them 24\/7 access to expanded treatment. In the past, a substance user may have seen their doctor or counselor only episodically. Now, treatment providers have an enormous amount of data at their fingertips to conduct a digital therapy session. That means they better deliver treatment in an efficient way. As a result, the cost of treatment will plummet, and outcomes will improve.” <\/p>\n\n
When Will Sober Peer be Available Nationwide?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
“We are taking three actions simultaneously to bring it to market. First, there are not enough US health care professionals to treat everyone. We are communicating with 31,000 licensed profes-sionals to recruit them to join the Sober Peer provider network. Next, we are meeting with public health officials in 30 states to demonstrate how our product works and develop strategies that can improve treatment. We connect each local treatment center into a state’s digital network, allowing all providers to speak with each other. Third, we’ve begun a digital media strategy to put hope within reach to the 20 million people who need treatment and drive them to these healthcare providers.”<\/p>\n\n
Why Are You Confident Sober Peer Will Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
“It’s already working. By connecting the data gleaned from Sober Peer with a person’s behavior, we can help improve a person’s life. I’m confident it will encourage many people abusing drugs and alcohol to take their first step toward sobriety.”<\/p>\n","DatePublished":"12-Apr-2020","DatePublishedForSort":"2020-04-12","LikeCount":2712,"DisLikeCount":0,"IsPublished":true}]}