Abstract

CANCADO, Mariana et al. Web-based computer-delivered interventions for illicit drug users: a review. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2018, vol.19, n.3, pp.789-804. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/18psd190325.

Drug use-related disorders indicate a public health problem in many countries. Despite the high number of users in Brazil, there are gaps in the offering of specialized treatment for drug users. Web-based or computer-assisted interventions can facilitate access to interventions, but no research about this resource and its use with this specific population could be found in Brazil. To analyze, through an exploratory study, five randomized controlled clinical trials and two pilot trials for computer-delivered therapeutic interventions for illicit substance users. We included papers published between January 2014 and October2014 and were available on the PubMed, PsychInfo, Scielo and Lilacs databases. The computer-delivered interventions were directed towards adult cannabis, cocaine, opioids and benzodiazepine users that were undergoing treatment in a clinic or through the internet. Some interventions had a mediator or were self-guided, and most were brief interventions, based on cognitive behavioral therapy. The results indicate that this method of treatment is a promising alternative or complement to existing interventions for illicit drug users. Some of the observed indicators were a reduction of drug consumption compared to the control group, positive ratings of the computer-delivered sessions and positive therapeutic alliance scores.

Keywords : substance-related disorders; telemedicine; cognitive therapy; therapy; computer-assisted; street drugs.

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