Artificial Intelligence in Health Care
As technology keeps advancing, modern healthcare is being revolutionized by Artificial Intelligence (AI). By creating and synthesizing software, applications, and machines, AI-based tools are increasingly being used in the field of medicine. Through the streamlining of service delivery, the enhancement of the quality of medical research, and the promotion of precision medicine, AI is showing benefits across different stages of care.
- AI can support mental and behavioral health services in many ways including:
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Recovery
- Using tools and techniques powered by AI such as:
- Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: Backed by AI, chatbots provide instant support and advice to people in recovery through encouragement, problem-solving, and instant consultations at any time.
- Wearable Devices and Monitoring: Smartwatches or fitness trackers monitor activity patterns and physical signs which may help identify relapse threats or withdrawal signs.
- Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): BCIs work immediately with the brain and may be used in research to find how and where addiction affects the organ.
AI in Mental and Behavioral Health
In mental and behavioral healthcare, AI is being utilized in predictive diagnostics, telepsychiatry, and screening tools. With more than 250 million people using drugs worldwide and with more than 35 million with substance use disorders, it is imperative that exploratory research and application of AI in mental and behavioral health is continued to aid an overwhelmed infrastructure.
Studies on AI tools based on machine learning and language learning modules have produced pattern recognition and prediction models for substance use behavior. Flagging at-risk individuals in real time, AI-powered tools can detect substance use behaviors through app usage behavior, digital footprints, and interactions on social media (Ezell et al., 2023).
By application of AI to larger populations of people, identification of public health interventions to reduce substance use could be made to entire communities.
Improvement of Patient Outcomes Through AI
Not only can AI detect substance use behaviors, but it can identify patients who are at increased risk for complications related to substance use. A 2025 study found that using an AI-driven opioid use disorder (OUD) screener embedded in electronic health records (EHRs) analyzed notes in real time and identified patients to consult who were at risk for repeated hospital admissions.
Though patients were previously identified for consultations by providers, AI offered a more scalable alternative to consultations. The study spanned 16 months pre-intervention of the AI to 8 months post-intervention and implementation of the AI.
Though the number of consultations did not vary, it was found that the AI screener was associated with a reduction in 30-day readmissions, saving $6,801 on each readmission avoided.
Tarzana Treatment Centers Technological Courses
Here at Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC), we aim to help professionals in the medical and behavioral health fields keep up with the ever-increasing advancement of technology. Continuing education courses (CEUs) taken through our learning portal offer convenient and low-cost training.
Digital Fluency in Peer Support helps learners enhance knowledge of digital skills and gain confidence in employing technological tools in more sophisticated ways in peer support.
Ethical Use of Technology in Behavioral Health trains participants on how to navigate through the virtual side of treatment while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
The Future of Healing: AI, Ancestry, & Alternative Medicine in Behavioral Health is TTC’s newest technology course that examines how AI can be used in conjunction with healing traditions from across the globe and epigenetics to result in responsible, client-centered care.
As AI rapidly gains popularity, TTC remains committed to investing in people who drive the technology behind treatment. Be on the lookout for future courses as we advance into the new year!
The Future
Though most AI-based screening models and tools for healthcare remain in the developmental phase, their integration into real-world settings looks promising.
Tarzana Treatment Centers will continue to explore optimizing technology, including AI, in medical and behavioral health so that we can better serve patients. We will also continue to develop evidence-based curriculum to empower professionals and ensure that no one is left behind, as we progress into a new digital age.
Resources
Afshar, M., Resnik, F., Joyce, C., Oguss, M., Dligach, D., Burnside, E. S., Sullivan, A. G., Churpek, M. M., Patterson, B. W., Salisbury-Afshar, E., Liao, F. J., Goswami, C., Brown, R., & Mundt, M. P. (2025). Clinical implementation of AI-based screening for risk for opioid use disorder in hospitalized adults. Nature Medicine, 31(6), 1863–1872. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03603-z
Ezell, J. M., Ajayi, B. P., Parikh, T., Miller, K., Rains, A., & Scales, D. (2023). Drug use and Artificial intelligence: Weighing concerns and possibilities for prevention. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 66(3), 568–572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.11.024
United Nations. (2020). World Drug Report: Drug Use and Health Consequences. In UNODC.org. https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_Booklet_2.pdf
