Bergman BG, Greene MC, Hoeppner BB, Kelly JF. (2018). Expanding the reach of alcohol and other drug services: Prevalence and correlates of US adult engagement with online technology to address substance problems. Addictive Behaviors. 87: 74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.06.018
Researchers used data from 2,002 adults in the United States (US) who responded to the National Recovery Survey to estimate use of digital approaches to substance use and evaluate demographic and psychological correlates to using digital approaches to substance use. The National Recovery Survey is a nationally representative survey of US adults who report having recovered from a substance use problem. Researchers used data concerning substance use history, use of digital approaches to substance use (e.g., online support groups, social network sites, other mobile and online resources), self-reported lifetime internet addiction, criminal justice history, quality of life, and psychological distress. Results from the survey indicated that 11% of respondents who were in recovery from a substance use problem had used digital approaches to substance use. Respondents who were between 18-29 years old, had less than a high school education, were Hispanic, or had an income below $30,000 were more likely to have used digital approaches to substance use. Factors associated with greater likelihood of use of digital care approaches included younger age at first substance use, use of anti-relapse/craving medication, use of recovery support services, having an arrest history, and higher psychological distress. Participants who had used digital approaches to substance use were 4 times more likely to report any lifetime internet addiction relative to respondents who had not used technology to support recovery.