Detecting Recovery Problems Just in Time: Application of Automated Linguistic Analysis and Supervised Machine Learning to an Online Substance Abuse Forum

• DOI: 10.2196/10136
• Publication Date: 2018-06-12T14:30:15Z
• Authors: Rachel Kornfield; Prathusha K Sarma; Dhavan V Shah; Fiona McTavish; Gina Landucci; Klaren Pe-Romashko; David H Gustafson
• Keywords: Male; Original Paper; Substance-Related Disorders; Linguistics; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Education, Distance; Machine Learning; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female

Online discussion forums allow those in addiction recovery to seek help through text-based messages, including when facing triggers drink or use drugs. Trained staff (or "moderators") may participate within these offer guidance and support participants are struggling but must expend considerable effort continually review new content. Demands on moderators limit the scalability of evidence-based digital health interventions.