McClure, E. A., Acquavita, S. P., Harding, E., & Stitzer, M. L. (2012). Utilization of communication technology by patients enrolled in substance abuse treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.10.003
A survey was conducted to characterize utilization of communication technology in 266 urban, substance abuse treatment patients enrolled at eight drug-free, psychosocial or opioid-replacement therapy clinics. The vast majority reported access to a mobile phone (91%), and to SMS text messaging (79%). Internet, e-mail, and computer use was much lower (39–45%), with younger age, higher education and income predicting greater use. No such differences existed for the use of mobile phones however. Concern regarding the digital divide for marginalized populations appears to be disappearing with respect to mobile phones, but still exists for computer, internet, and e-mail access and use. Results suggest that mobile phone and texting applications may be feasibly applied for use in program–client interactions in substance abuse treatment.