One recovery center in Tucson is helping patients take the rehabilitation process on the go. Sierra Tucson created an app called Connect365 for people to use every day for a year after a stay at the recovery center. It connects patients with daily plans to stay positive and substance free.
The app includes plans to create healthy lifestyle habits through meal planning and sleep analysis. It also offers weekly progress reports to keep people on track with their goals.
"Residential treatment is wonderful, but it's the beginning of a process because recovery is a process, not an event," said Jaime Vinck, Chief Operating Officer at Sierra Tucson. "So what this does is continue the journey for another year. Reinforcing the positive things we've learned while in treatment and allows our brain to continue the cognitive restructuring."
One of the most important parts of the app is the 24/7 live connection to the recovery coach the patient worked with in person while at Sierra Tucson.
"It's absolutely been a lifesaver for so many folks, and we are able to step in and get them to safety before a slip turns into a full on relapse or before suicidal ideas become an attempt," said Vinck.
700 people are using the app now, and overall, 91% of people in the treatment program reported their lives had improved since seeking treatment and using the Connect365 app.
