A Therapeutic Relational Agent for Reducing Problematic Substance Use (Woebot): Development and Usability Study

EN BREF ...

« Misuse of substances is common, can be serious and costly to society, and often goes untreated due to barriers to accessing care. Globally, 3.5 million people die from alcohol and illicit drug use each year. The disease burden of alcohol and illicit drug addiction is the highest in the United States. Over 20 million Americans (aged 12 years and older) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in 2018, 73% had an alcohol use disorder, 40% had an illicit drug use disorder, and 13% had both alcohol and illicit drug use disorders. Approximately half (47%) of Americans with an SUD had a co-occurring mental illness. Treatment of depression and anxiety, the most common psychiatric comorbidities among patients with SUDs, may reduce craving and substance use and enhance overall outcomes. In 2018, less than 1 in 5 individuals with a SUD received addiction treatment. Alcohol and illicit drug misuse and addiction cost the United States over US $440 billion annually in lost workplace productivity, health care expenses, and crime-related costs. Potential effects on individuals include an array of physical and mental health problems, overdose, trauma, and violence » En bref issu de l’étude.