Connection is the opposite of addiction: Using digital tools to drive connection in clinical settings

In recovery, connection isn’t a luxury-it’s a lifeline. In a world where digital access is high but emotional connection is low, clinical programs have an urgent opportunity: to use technology not to replace, but to enhance human connection. This presentation highlights how Recovery Connect, a digital tool integrated into counseling workflows, was used to strengthen engagement in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment through scalable, clinician-led implementation.

Based on findings from a year-long feasibility study across 53 Community Medical Services clinics, involving over 11,000 patients and more than 300 therapists, one message was clear: connection drives outcomes. Clinicians exchanged over 400,000 messages with patients, and patients completed more than 270,000 therapeutic activities. Notably, 84 percent of patients intended to use the app as part of their care, and 87 percent of clinicians reported that it improved their clinical performance. These insights laid the foundation for the SMART OUD randomized clinical trial, where Recovery Connect demonstrated significant improvements in retention and engagement.

This session moves beyond the data to focus on how to bring digital connection into real-world care. Common clinician concerns such as “How do I connect between sessions?” or “How can I support clients without burning out?” are addressed through four key strategies:

Train with purpose
Teach clinicians not just how to use the app, but how to use it meaningfully by sending empathetic messages, responding to journals, and celebrating progress.

Start strong
Prioritize engagement in the first seven days. Make the app a key part of client onboarding to extend the therapeutic alliance.

Build routine
Integrate app data into team huddles and supervision to drive informed care.

Act early
Use engagement insights to identify and support clients at risk of disengaging.

We will share practical lessons from clinics that have embraced Recovery Connect as a relationship- building tool, not just a piece of technology. When used with intention, digital tools can powerfully extend the reach of therapeutic care.

Attendees will leave with actionable steps to implement digital connection strategies in any care setting, regardless of size, resources, or client population.