Digital interventions for supporting alcohol abstinence in aftercare - a systematic review

Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) are associated with numerous negative health and societal consequences. Relapse is common among individuals with AUD following discharge from treatment programs, often due to a lack of continuing care and barriers to accessing in-person interventions. Digital interventions may have the potential to overcome these barriers. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of digital interventions in supporting abstinence following AUD treatment.

We searched the databases Embase, Medline, and APA PsycInfo for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated digital interventions designed to support alcohol-dependent individuals to maintain abstinence after discharge from treatment programs. Studies in which participants were not abstinent at the time of randomization were excluded.

Eleven studies were identified, with interventions including text messages, smartphones apps, wireless breathalysers, telephone-based support, and e-books. Four studies (2 using apps and 2 using supportive text messages) reported statistically significant results in prolonging abstinence. However, one intervention using a cue exposure therapy (CET) app found increased relapse rates in all groups. The risk of bias across studies ranged from moderate to high.

There is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of digital interventions in maintaining abstinence after AUD treatment discharge. While digital interventions may improve the accessibility and uptake of aftercare services to prevent relapse, further research is needed.