Social robots to improve addiction treatment: development and assessment of a digital intervention

Abstract This study, published in the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO), explores the use of a social robot in outpatient addiction counseling for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). Through a participatory approach, an intervention was developed, and a prototype was created, focusing on crisis intervention and resilience-building exercises. The prototype was evaluated through focus groups consisting of addiction counselors and individuals with SUD. The results indicate significant potential for the use of social robots in this field and identify technical as well as organizational requirements. In addition, the findings reveal areas of tension, particularly regarding the effectiveness and acceptance of the intervention versus data protection and the autonomy of the users, highlighting the importance of careful integration into the counseling process.