Targeting problematic users of illicit drugs with Internet-based screening and brief intervention: a randomized...

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an Internet-based screening and brief intervention (SBI) site for problematic alcohol and drug use among illicit drug users.

Individuals searching for information about alcohol or drugs online who scored over 0 on the drug use disorders identification test (DUDIT) and were 15 years or older were recruited for this trial and randomized into one group receiving Internet-based screening and brief intervention via eScreen.se (n=101) or one assessment-only control group (n=101). Both groups were screened at baseline and followed up at 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome measure was the DUDIT-C score and secondary outcome measures were DUDIT, AUDIT-C (alcohol use disorders identification test-C) and AUDIT scores. Additional outcomes included the proportion of drug abstainers and those who made a clinically significant change in their alcohol and drug use. Four statistical models of analysis were used to conservatively assess results.

A significant decrease in DUDIT-C scores at the 3-month follow-up occurred in both groups. Three out of four statistical models showed a larger decrease in the DUDIT score in the intervention group than in the control group (p=0.006; p=0.046; p=0.001). Two models showed a continued decrease in AUDIT-C and AUDIT scores also at the 6-month follow-up in the intervention group but not in the control group. No additional differences occurred.

The results are inconclusive but provide some evidence that SBI sites such as eScreen.se could be effective for short-term reductions of problematic substance use.