Are Computer-Based Treatment Programs Effective at Reducing Symptoms of Substance Misuse and Mental Health Difficulties Within Adults? A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective Comorbid substance misuse and mental health difficulties are recognized as a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide. Amidst cuts to healthcare services, computer-based interventions may provide support for patients experiencing these difficulties. The aims of this systematic review were to identify and investigate the efficacy of these computerbased interventions at improving substance misuse and mental health outcomes. Methods A systematic search was conducted of CINAHL Plus, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Grey literature was also searched for relevant papers. Data were extracted from 33 papers, which met eligibility criteria by reporting a computerbased intervention designed to treat substance misuse and mental health in adults. Quality assessments were conducted on these papers. Results Computer-based interventions generally led to an improvement of substance misuse and mental health outcomes within groups and when compared against waitlist control and psychoeducation. Computer-based interventions were effective at improving dual diagnosis outcomes, and improvements to mental health outcomes specifically were maintained for up to nine months. However, the combined effect of computer-based interventions and therapist support was found to be more effective than the effects of computer-based interventions alone.

Technological and Digital Interventions for Mental Health and Wellbeing: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

“…Computer programs often looked into psychotherapeutic interventions, both general or CBT , but were also used in the context of skills training . Dugdale et al ( 36 ) summarized current evidence on the potential of computer-based treatment programs to reduce symptoms of substance misuse and mental health difficulties in adults with a dual diagnosis. Following an initial screening, users could for example access an interactive coping strategy training, which helped them to address the lifestyle factors which are maintaining their harmful alcohol consumption.…”

Staff experiences of encountering and treating outpatients with substance use disorder in the psychiatric context: a qualitative study

“…One recent systematic review on computer-based interventions for patients with symptoms of SUD and mental health issues show an improvement in mental well-being and substance use compared with a group that were allocated to a waiting list and received psychoeducation. The review also showed that computer-based interventions offered with therapist support (guided intervention) were even more effective than unguided computer-based intervention [ 33 ]. With complementary digital interventions, patients could maintain their contact with their outpatient psychiatric clinic and at the same time receive treatment for SUD via the internet.…”

Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period

“…In this regard, Mullin et al [ 18 ] showed that an online wellbeing program reduced the anxious and depressive symptoms compared with the control group at post-treatment and at a three-month follow-up. Other studies have shown that online counselling is also effective for people using substances [ 19 ] or showing psychological distress [ 20 ]. Furthermore, studies show that patients have high levels of satisfaction after having completed an online counselling process [ 21 ] and are able to express their discomfort as well as face-to-face counselling interventions [ 22 ].…”