Tips and instructions
The app provides audio and video contributions on how to better deal with addiction as well as on self-care and parenting topics. It provides support with specific strategies to reduce addictive cravings.
Users are instructed to regularly reflect on their feelings, their cravings and the connection with stress and challenges in everyday parenting.
The app also offers tips and support for children and adult relatives in an area specially designed for them.
Do you have questions about the app?
To help you provide your clients with the best possible support when using the app, we have summarized the most important questions and answers relating to our project.
Our app is aimed at all parents who are affected by an addiction. This can be an addictive disorder, a harmful substance use or a behavioral addiction. The term "parent"/"parent" is not limited to biological parents - anyone who is regularly involved in the care of one or more children can use the app. Pregnant women and fathers-to-be can also use the app.
Clients should be able to use the app independently.
Children should not be older than 18, as the app content is aimed at this age group.
As the app is used to accompany therapy, you are responsible for activating it. For this purpose, you will receive a current activation code from the study team on a quarterly basis. You can then give this code to your clients and they can use the app for 3 months before they need you to activate it again.
The app can be used for as long as you like as long as it is activated regularly.
As a therapy-accompanying app, Elma enables users to implement the content of the therapy in everyday life and to deepen it by using a different medium.
In addition, users can find a wealth of information on addiction, health, children and nutrition tailored to them in the app. They can customize various content and, for example, create their own emergency plan in the app, so that the app can also be helpful in a crisis.
What is the maximum time clients can use the app?
Your clients can use the app for as long as they like. There is no end date. However, it is important that the app is activated every three months so that seamless access to the app is guaranteed. You can find more information on activating the app under question 2.
In order to further adapt the Elma app to the needs of clients, we are conducting a scientific survey during the app's launch phase.
In the first 6 months, we ask the participants for regular feedback on their current situation and their app usage behavior in the form of questionnaires.
Participation in the study is voluntary. If clients are interested in participating in the study, please contact our study team to handle all the associated formalities. You can reach them at: Elma@zi-mannheim.de
If a participant discontinues the study, you can contact the study team and receive information on the next steps. In any case, the person concerned may continue to use the app if they wish. You can reach the study team at ELMA@zi-mannheim.de
8. How do I contact the study team?
If you have any questions or comments, you can contact the study team at any time. To do so, please contact us either by e-mail at elma@zi-mannheim.de or by telephone at 0621 1703 6710
9. Can I also use the app during inpatient treatment?
The Elma app can be used during the inpatient, day-care and outpatient treatment of clients. Integrate the app into the therapy process as early as possible to achieve the greatest possible benefit.
The Elma app is designed to help deepen the content of the therapy and transfer it to the client's everyday life. You are therefore welcome to integrate it into the therapy for homework between appointments or as a source of information. The use of the app is not a substitute for addiction therapy, but a supplement and, if necessary, a link between the various therapy steps (acute treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare).
If you have any comments, please contact the study team either by e-mail elma@zi-mannheim.de or by telephone at 0621 1703 6710.
*Patient or client?
In psychotherapy and addiction counseling centers, patients are usually referred to as clients. The term underlines that they are not just passive recipients of treatment. A client is an independent counterpart on an equal footing and actively participates in the therapy process..