WE-CARE - an innovative platform ofWomen Engaged in Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Environments for SubstanceUse Women

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PROJECT SUMMARY Women with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) have complex care needs that begin with a need for identification followed by linkage to a comprehensive care plan that frequently includes simultaneous treatment for excessive alcohol, opioid, stimulant, and benzodiazepine use, as well as trauma. Barriers to identification and treatment of AUD and/or SUD among women in primary care settings begin with a lack of screening by healthcare providers (HCPs) and lack of knowledge by child-bearing women about the dangers of conceiving while using alcohol or drugs. The HCP’s challenges to supporting women with AUD and/or SUD include stigma, lack of time during each appointment for screening, scoring and discussion of results, the sheer potential volume of women with SUD/AUD, lack of knowledge about evidence-based interventions, and scarcity of partnerships with a comprehensive treatment facility offering trauma-informed care. Novel digital strategies to provide universal anonymous screenings and promote appointment adherence appear effective. A mobile application that can provide anonymous referrals, educational materials, and support communication between providers and patients could expand universal screenings to delivery at or prior to a standard medical appointment. This application could then help to alleviate or remove many of the limitations due to a lack of time, willingness, or ability. Benten Technologies proposes to design, build and test a mobile-based application called Women Engaged in Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Environments (WE-CARE) for Substance Use that will leverage secure, cloud-based technology to provide virtual screenings, referrals, education, and open communication channels between women with possible AUD and SUD and their providers. The application will support linkage to care through the integration of novel tools including universal e-screenings for alcohol, illicit drugs, depression, and anxiety, as well as educational materials, an anonymous moderated forum, and a chatbot, and the option to get an anonymous referral to a comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment center. Within 48 hours of receiving a referral request through the application, the treatment center will contact the women for additional intake questions and discussions about her concerns. The Phase 1 SBIR Specific Aims are to (1) Use formative research with child-bearing age women, HCPs, and relevant stakeholders to identify the needs and requirements for screenings, educational materials, and linkage to care; (2) Build the prototype, and (3) Screen 300 women and pilot test with 20 women identified with being at risk of having an AUD and/or SUD to evaluate the prototype application.