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For Immediate Release 12/15/16
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF. – The United States Surgeon General Report on alcohol, drugs, and health finds that brief intervention and monitoring – like technology offered by Soberlink, the leader in mobile-breath sobriety monitoring – can be a vital part of healthy recovery from substance use disorders.
Dr. Vivek Murthy’s Report addresses one of the largest health crises we face in America; what’s being referred to as an addiction epidemic, and proposes changes to the way we approach and care for substance use disorders. Further, the Report finds that “treatment for substance use disorders remains largely separate from the rest of health care and serves only a fraction of those in treatment.” It reads in part:
“…proactive clinical monitoring and management is already done within general health care settings to address other potentially progressive illnesses that are brought about by unhealthy behaviors. For example, patients with high blood pressure may be told to adjust their activity and stress in order to reduce the progression of hypertension. Typically, these individuals are also clinically monitored for key symptoms to ensure that symptoms do not worsen.
There are compelling reasons to apply similar procedures in emerging cases of substance misuse…This should be followed by informed clinical guidance on reducing the frequency and amount of substance use, family education to support lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring.”
The treatment of substance use disorders has been evolutionary. As clinicians come to understand more about the illness, the model has changed. This Report suggests drastic changes are the only way to combat the current epidemic.
Soberlink has long stressed the importance of monitoring in recovery, and further supports moving toward a chronic care model for substance use disorders. The Report echoes Soberlink’s values and mission of making modern recovery care accessible to everyone.
“Our technology works to make recovery care more proactive, responsive, and supportive; more in line with ongoing care,” Soberlink CEO Brad Keays said. “This Report is a huge turning point, and the industry seems poised for change now that we are beginning to understand that substance use disorders deserve to be treated just like other chronic diseases.”
This is the first Surgeon General’s Report to focus solely on substance misuse and the related disorders. It not only calls for clinical change, but cultural change. The way Americans view and talk about substance use disorders is changing, just like administration, health plan, and clinical models are changing to become more effective.
About Soberlink
Soberlink is committed to changing the perception of alcohol use disorders by developing technology for addiction and recovery management. In 2016 the Soberlink Cellular Device gained FDA 510(k) clearance for medical use.
Since 2011, Soberlink has become the fastest growing recovery system on the market. The Soberlink System promotes accountability and connectivity with real-time BAC testing. Soberlink’s passionate pursuit of better recovery drove the company to develop the world’s first web connected breathalyzer with facial recognition software. The company remains at the forefront of innovation in the handheld, mobile breath category with the patented Soberlink Cellular and Sober Sky Web Portal.
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