Web-based interventions for substance abuse

Abstract

In recent times, the international literature has described treatment models targeting the general population and, besides supplying informative measures at the level of primary and secondary prevention, also offering Web-based self-help tools for problematic substance users in line with tertiary prevention (Blankers et al. in J Consult Clin Psychol 79(3):330-341. doi:10.1037/a0023498; Postel et al. in J Med Internet Res 12(4):11-22, 2010. doi:10.2196/jmir.1642; Riper et al. in Addiction 103(2):218-227, 2008. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.02063.x). So far, there is good and constant evidence for Web-based self-help interventions for problematic drinking, but only a few studies have investigated the scientific effectiveness of such interventions for problematic stimulant drug use (Schaub et al. in J Med Internet Res 14(6):47-60, 2012. doi:10.2196/jmir.2244). Some Web-based self-help studies exist for the reduction of cannabis use in problematic users so far divergent results.