Oklahoma Deploys Innovative Initiative to Address Statewide Addiction Crisis
Key Findings.
Oklahoma faced a common problem for states with a spread-out population and many individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). It is difficult to connect, coordinate, and offer resources for providers to assist people in identifying the need for help and working through recovery. About 300,000 Oklahomans struggle with SUD, but only one in three is getting needed care. State leaders were convinced that digital solutions were the answer and selected CHESS Health’s evidence-based eRecovery and eIntervention tools.
Starting with the Women in Recovery (WIR) program in Tulsa, providers saw rapid adoption of the CHESS solution from their patients, especially the Connections app, part of the eRecovery solution. The app is staffed by certified peer recovery specialists and provides 24/7 community support through moderated discussion groups and virtual support meetings. It helps fill the critical void between therapy sessions and keeps patients moving toward recovery.
Seeing positive results from WIR, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services moved quickly to make the tool available to dozens more state-contracted providers and partners. They also added another CHESS solution, eIntervention, a closed-loop referral solution that connects individuals with SUD to screening and providers and allows providers to track care and outcomes.
Read the full white paper to learn how broadly the solutions were deployed and the impact on outcomes the state has recorded.
