When recovering substance abuse patients need treatment advice or the support of a friend, they can turn to a new smart phone application University of Wisconsin researchers are developing to ensure these individuals are never without a guiding hand.

Maureen Fitzgerald, spokesperson for the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, said advances in technology allow these crucial tools to remain at the individual’s fingertips.

Training for a new study to assess the tool’s feasibility will begin this week, she said.

She added earlier projects utilizing technology were computer-based, which limited the availability of the resources being offered.

Project Manager Lisa Dillenberg said the app contains many features similar to Facebook, including the ability to create discussion and support groups, a personal profile and the ability to message members of various support teams.

A news section with relevant articles about addiction and recovery, a Google maps program to locate 12-step meetings in the area and a bank of frequently asked questions will also be included, she said.

She said a four-month long study, set to launch this month, would monitor the success of 30 individuals with criminal drug charges using either conventional treatment or the app during their outpatient recovery period.

Another study spanning three years would continue to recruit patients for the third trial until September, with the research project ending in September 2012. After time to analyze the results, Dillenberg said the group would have a better understanding of the app’s effectiveness.

“The outcome will tell more about the outcomes for the different treatments and whether it’s a useful tool,” she said. “There will be some lag time before the app can reach the public.”

Another key feature of the app is a panic button, which the individual can press if they are in need of assistance.

Dillenberg added though the feature does not provide emergency services, users can send an automated text requesting a phone call from support group members and offers suggestions to cope with the situation.

Though the relatively small screen size of the Android prototypes phones is a limiting factor, researchers hope the ability to speak with counselors in real time will be the next addition to the app.

Fitzgerald said the program addresses the chronic nature of addictions and hopes the studies will present use of the program as a possible alternative to incarceration.

“We’ll see if having the smart phone will help them meet the conditions set by the court to prevent going to jail and if the tool will help people be successful in drug court,” she said.

She added researchers would work closely with judges and members of the criminal justice system.