Abstract
Online interventions for gambling, alcohol, and illegal drug related problems have been developing at a fast pace over the past decade. Yet, little is known about the content and efficacy of interventions provided entirely online for reducing drug/alcohol use and gambling, or about the characteristics of those who use these interventions. This systematic review aims to describe the characteristics of online interventions, their efficacy, and the profile of their clientele. Documentation was mainly obtained through four scientific databases in psychology, technology, and medical research (PsychINFO, MedLine, Francis, and INSPEC) using three keywords (substances or gambling, intervention, Internet). Of the 4,708 documents initially identified, 18 studies meeting admissibility criteria were retained and analyzed after exclusion of duplicates and non-relevant documents. No study in the review related to problem gambling. The majority of interventions were based upon motivational or cognitive-behavioral theoretical approaches and called upon well-established therapeutic components in the field of addictions. The participants in these studies were generally adults between 30 and 46 years old with a high school education and presenting a high risk or problematic use. More than three quarters of the studies showed a short-term decrease in use that was maintained 6 months later, but only two studies included a 12 months follow-up. Online interventions seem promising and appear to meet the needs of participants who are in the workforce and seeking help for the first time. Long-term efficacy studies should nonetheless be conducted.
Highlights
Substance use disorder, including alcohol and different classes of drugs, can be defined as a group of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that an individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
Gambling behaviors activate reward systems similar to those activated by drugs and produce symptoms comparable to those produced by the substance use disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), and Gambling disorder is the only behavioral addiction with sufficient research to be included in the Substance-related and addictive disorders category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edn.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
In order to overcome the obstacles inherent to psychological interventions and to reduce costs associated with addictions and non-consultation (Sacks et al, 2015), online, and mobile application interventions are developing at a fast pace (Lal and Adair, 2014)
Summary
Substance use disorder, including alcohol and different classes of drugs, can be defined as a group of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that an individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In order to overcome the obstacles inherent to psychological interventions and to reduce costs associated with addictions and non-consultation (Sacks et al, 2015), online, and mobile application interventions are developing at a fast pace (Lal and Adair, 2014). What content do they offer to users? What content do they offer to users? Are they effective for reducing drug/alcohol use and gambling? Who is participating in this type of treatment? This systematic review will help to answer these questions
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