title: Mobile phones in residential treatment: implications for practice.
abstract: A nonprofit primary care, substance abuse and mental health treatment provider that operates nine separate residential treatment facilities in both northern and southern California began allowing clients to keep their mobile phones while in treatment. From the advent of mobile phone technology and its widespread adoption through early 2013, the organization prohibited clients from having phones while in treatment. Calls to and from clients needed to be made and received at the house phone. After years of enforcing the policy with diminished success as phones became cheaper, smaller, and more prevalent, agency leadership decided to experiment with allowing the clients to keep their phones while in treatment. Elopement data as they relate to the policy are examined along with data from staff interviews about its implementation and impact. Results show that elopements resulting from being caught with a mobile phone were eliminated and some clients were able to be returned to treatment using the devices. All seven (100%) of the interviewees were supportive of the new policy and thought it should be continued. The impact of the policy on clinical disruptions, lost/stolen property liability, and confidentiality issues are discussed.
authors: HealthRIGHT 360, 1735 Mission St, Suite 2050, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Collier
authors: Healthright 360, 1735 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.
authors: Mardell
authors: M
authors: Gavriel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D040421:Cell Phone; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000592:standards*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Cell phones; Mobile phones; Residential treatment; SUD; Substance use disorder