Boumparis N, Karyotaki E, Schaub MP, Cuijpers P, Riper H. (2017). Internet interventions for adult illicit substance users: A meta-analysis. Addiction. doi: 10.1111/add.13819
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of internet-based interventions for opioid and stimulant (i.e. cocaine and amphetamines) users. Researchers also examined transdiagnostic interventions addressing use of any illicit substance. Articles that compared an internet intervention to an alternative treatment or no treatment were included. Researchers also included articles that used an intervention as a standalone or as an augment to treatment. Seventeen studies examining 2,836 participants were included in the meta-analysis: four targeting opioid use, four targeting stimulant use, and nine transdiagnostic interventions targeting any illicit substance. Nine of the studies used an internet intervention to augment treatment and eight studies used an internet intervention as standalone treatment. When looking across studies, internet interventions had a small, significant effect on substance use. When looking at specific substances, internet interventions had a small, significant effect on opioid use and on use of any substance. Internet interventions did not have a significant effect on stimulant use. Nine interventions included a follow-up between six and 12-months post-randomization; internet interventions in these studies had a small, significant effect on substance use at follow-up. Researchers noted that the community reinforcement approach was most often used to address opioid use and cognitive behavioral therapy was most commonly used to address stimulant use.