Mobile phone crisis intervention for substance use disorder

Title : Mobile phone crisis intervention for substance use disorder

Abstract:

Substance use disorder and anxiety disorders share a common challenge: acute episodes of emotional dysregulation lasting 10-30 minutes, during which individuals experience intense cravings, panic, or shame. Traditional interventions require scheduled clinical appointments (unavailable in the moment) or rely on wellness programs designed for emotional stability, not crisis.

Pause is a just-in-time intervention tool designed to provide in-moment support during acute episodes of emotional dysregulation. The system is built on a three-phase wave model based on the hypothesis that crisis intervention strategies should match the user's current intensity level.

Pause is being developed in partnership with a state mental health program and psychiatrists for potential pilot deployment in 2026. This presentation will cover the clinical rationale for intensity-based intervention, the hypothesis that reducing choice at peak intensity may improve outcomes, and considerations for institutional deployment in SUD and anxiety treatment settings.

Biography:

Eric Cohen has spent 40 years creating breakthrough products in consumer and healthcare markets. He invented the Reebok Pump and co-founded National Sleep Therapy, a Forbes 5000 company that achieved 83% patient adherence through behavioral design. He led Capgemini's global connected products practice before founding Livio Labs to build mental health intervention tools. Eric is developing Pause for crisis intervention and AI31, a safety certification framework for mental health AI, in partnership with psychiatrists and mental health institutions. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and mentors at Harvard Innovation Labs.