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