The Growing Demand for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment has never been more needed -or more challenging to deliver. Demand continues to surge while treatment capacity remains constrained. The organizations meeting this challenge are leveraging technology to extend their reach and improve outcomes.

The Scope of the Challenge

The numbers tell a sobering story:

48 million Americans struggle with substance use disorders
Only 10% receive treatment at a specialty facility
Overdose deaths remain at crisis levels
Treatment capacity hasn’t kept pace with demand

Behind these statistics are individuals and families in crisis -people who need help but can’t find it, or find it too late.

Why the Gap Persists

Several factors constrain treatment capacity:

Workforce Shortages

Like all of behavioral health, SUD treatment faces severe workforce shortages. Specialized addiction counselors are in short supply, and burnout rates remain high.

Stigma

Despite progress, stigma continues to discourage help-seeking. Many individuals delay treatment until crisis points force the issue.

Access Barriers

Geographic, financial, and logistical barriers prevent many from accessing treatment. Rural areas are particularly underserved.

Documentation Burden

Treatment providers spend excessive time on documentation and compliance requirements, limiting their capacity to see patients.

How Technology Is Helping

Forward-thinking SUD treatment providers are using technology to address these challenges:

Extending Post-Discharge Support

The highest risk period for relapse is immediately after treatment ends. AI-powered monitoring can maintain patient engagement during this critical window:

Regular check-ins that don’t require clinician time
Analysis of responses to identify warning signs
Automatic alerts when intervention is needed
Connection to support resources when struggles emerge

Improving Documentation Efficiency

AI documentation tools reduce the time clinicians spend charting, enabling each provider to serve more patients. For SUD treatment specifically:

Group therapy documentation becomes manageable
Medical necessity requirements are met consistently
ASAM criteria documentation is streamlined
Time is recaptured for patient care

Enhancing Assessment

AI-powered assessments can:

Screen for co-occurring conditions efficiently
Monitor progress between appointments
Identify relapse risk before crisis points
Gather data that supports treatment planning

Supporting Long-Term Recovery

Recovery is a long-term process that extends far beyond initial treatment episodes. Technology enables ongoing support:

Alumni engagement programs
Recovery monitoring over months and years
Early identification of concerning trends
Connection to resources when needed

The Discovery365 Example

Discovery Behavioral Health, in partnership with Videra Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, launched Discovery365 -an AI-powered platform that monitors patients for 12 months post-discharge.

The system addresses what they call “the one-year recovery gap” -the critical period when many patients struggle without adequate support. Video-based check-ins, AI analysis, and proactive clinical alerts ensure patients stay connected to care.

What Providers Can Do

Organizations looking to expand their SUD treatment capacity should consider:

Audit current workflows - Where is time being lost to non-clinical activities?
Evaluate technology options - What tools could extend your reach?
Plan for post-discharge - How do you support patients after they leave?
Measure outcomes - What data would help you improve?

Our Commitment

At Videra Health, we’ve worked with leading SUD treatment providers to develop tools that address their specific challenges. From documentation automation to post-discharge monitoring, our platform helps organizations serve more patients while improving outcomes.