Web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention to reduce cocaine consumption in problematic cocaine users:...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Psychiatry
• Substance Abuse Treatment

Background:

• Web-based self-help programs offer accessible, cost-effective interventions for problematic substance use.
• These programs can reach populations underserved by traditional treatment methods.
• Increasing healthcare costs make innovative, low-threshold interventions desirable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an anonymous, automated, web-based intervention for cocaine users.
• To compare this digital intervention against standard outpatient treatment services.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involved 196 cocaine users recruited online and offline.
• The intervention group received cognitive behavioral modules and a consumption diary.
• The control group received psychoeducational information; follow-up assessments occurred at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months.

Main Results:

• The web-based intervention attracted older, more educated participants than traditional programs.
• Treatment retention was significantly higher in the intervention group (P=.04).
• No significant differences were found in cocaine dependence severity, craving, or other substance use; however, weekly cocaine quantity decreased in both groups (P=.009).

Conclusions:

• A fully automated, web-based cognitive behavioral intervention is a feasible option for cocaine users with low dependence severity.
• While effectiveness in reducing dependence is limited, it may engage specific populations underrepresented in outpatient services.
• The intervention facilitates anonymous self-management of cocaine consumption.