Connected Care: Challenges and Potential of Digital Interventions in Substance Use Disorder - a Narrative Review

mHealth interventions have demonstrated positive outcomes across various health domains and represent promising tools for supporting the treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUD). However, gaps remain regarding user and clinician engagement, factors associated with positive outcomes, and the need for cultural adaptation.

To analyze recent literature on the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in the treatment of SUD, identifying interaction patterns and functionalities that promote adherence in diverse contexts.

A narrative review was conducted based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searching PUBMED, SCOPUS, EMBASE and WEB OF SCIENCE for English-language articles published between 2014 and 2024. The review focused on barriers, facilitators, and the effectiveness of implementing digital interventions (mHealth) in the management of SUD.

Of the 593 articles identified, 34 were included. Despite considerable heterogeneity in evaluated outcomes, digital interventions demonstrated positive impacts on smoking cessation, contingency management for opioids, and reduction in alcohol and cannabis use. Notably, response variability was observed according to cultural and generational differences, severity of use, substance type, and digital literacy. Additional challenges include long-term adherence and a scarcity of studies in low- and middle-income countries.

Digital interventions show tangible clinical benefits across multiple substances, with usability and connected care driving sustained engagement. The use of mHealth, particularly as a complementary and combined approach in treating individuals with SUD, is associated with clinical and accessibility benefits. However, further research is required to evaluate its applicability across diverse populations and contexts.