Tech-Driven

Drug Addiction

• ~4.9 million Americans prescription pain meds 
• ~1.5 million use cocaine once per month
• 669K heroine users 2012, up 45% since 2006

Advantages to Computer-treatment

• Portability
• Amount & consistency of information
• Barriers to "disclosure"
• Others?
• ...& what are the disadvantages, if any?

Possible Change Mechanisms

• Training: self-management, drug refusal, time mngmt
• Better skills via hands-on learning? 
• Better adherence to addiction treatment?
• Accurate referral to much-needed resources?
• Educational awareness? (simply knowing options)

Bickel et al 2011

• Therapist vs. PC - Advantages/Dis?
• More, less or similar in effectiveness?
• Cost-effectiveness?

Anxiety Disorders

• Disorders: Generalized, Panic, OCD
• 40 million people 18 and up
• Target Behaviors: flight, avoidance, fidgeting
• Attentional biases: focus on negatives

Powers & Emmelkamp 2008

• Purpose?
• Sample?
• Results?
• Conclusions/Implications?

What are the change Mechanisms?

• Teaching better coping? 
• Improving self-efficacy?
• Increasing impulse control?
• Normalizing attention to relevant cues?

Take-homes

• Mental health disorders & addiction are modifiable
• PCs & VR tech shows evidence of efficacy
• We know little about mechanisms of change
• Future research needed to determine if viable LT