Firm Launches Hi-Tech Aid for Addiction, Behavioral Problems
by Jody Brown
May 20, 2005
(AgapePress) - Jjay* was headed to mete out revenge for the murder of his friend. Then his cell phone beeped. Of all people, it was his mother, telling him how proud she was that he was trying to get his life back on track. Instead of seeking revenge, the parolee with a long history of gang violence sought out professional help to work through his anger.Sound improbable? Not according to the Utah-based high-tech firm developing VictorySeeker™, a new technology designed to provide daily support -- via cell phones -- for people who are trying to make long-term changes in their lives. "It's a huge boost to someone trying to overcome patterns of self-destructive behavior," says Bruce Bennett, president of STAR (Synthesis Technology Assessment Research).
It's a simple concept that uses advanced technology to overcome age-old weaknesses. How does it work? Those seeking to prevail over those weaknesses through VictorySeeker set a long-term goal with daily tasks and then identify times during the day when they believe help is most needed -- such as when they're alone. The participants agree to carry a cell phone, knowing full well they are expected to answer when the calls come.
VictorySeeker then calls at those critical times, asking questions about progress toward the goal since the last call and gathering data for analysis by professional caregivers. Participants answer questions by pressing a number on the phone's keypad. Using advanced technology, VictorySeeker places the answer in the context of previous answers, determines the participant's direction toward the goal, and then plays an appropriate message recorded earlier by family and friends.
In Jjay's case, the pre-recorded message from his mother did the trick.
Counselors See Benefits
STAR's Bennett says numerous counselors are now using VictorySeeker to help people overcome addictions to such things as drugs, pornography, and overeating; to deal with behavioral issues such as anger and violence; or simply to establish a positive lifestyle.
One of those counselors is Robert Heaton, who works with pornography addicts. According to Heaton, one of his clients found that VictorySeeker provides him with "a great deal of motivation to excel" and that it helps him maintain the "positive routine" that he desires.
The counselor says he sees tremendous benefit to both client and caregiver. "VictorySeeker helps people heal faster and cuts therapy time," Heaton says.
One of the ways VictorySeeker assists counselors is by providing a track record of responses from users like Jjay. Counselors can easily access confidential reports online, view their clients' progress, and even listen to voice messages left by their clients. That information, says Bennett, helps to identify behavior patterns and can even alert the counselor if there is a good chance for relapse.
In addition, personal accountability plays a major role in the effectiveness of VictorySeeker. Says one counselor: "Just consistent, daily calls to remind my ... clients of the things they need to do ... can be very helpful to sustain emotional and physical health." And one participant says the program "...helps me to stop each day and ask myself ... what I have actually done today to reach the goals I know I want to achieve."
"It's very exciting to see VictorySeeker make a difference for people [who are] trying to make their lives better," the STAR president says. STAR applied for a patent on VictorySeeker in September 2004.
More information is available on VictorySeeker by calling 888-467-8785 or by contacting STAR, 296 South Main St., Springville, UT 84663.* A fictitious name
