Internet 'should advise on substance abuse treatment'

Categories

Addiction Treatment
Alcohol
Drugs
Gambling
In the papers
On TV

News Archive

Home » News » Alcohol » Internet 'should advise on substance abuse treatment'

by Change | 19 Jan 2009

Bookmark

E-mail

The internet offers a way of reaching people with drug and alcohol addiction problems which could lead to them entering rehab clinics, research suggests.

Using the internet to advise those with drug or alcohol addiction problems to attend rehab clinics could help raise awareness of the help available, a scientific journal suggests.

The Drug and Alcohol Review is issuing a special edition studying the impact of technologies on substance abuse interventions and identifies the web as a method of reaching people with guidance.

Nicole Lee, an associate professor and co-editor of the publication, claims addiction treatments are keeping up with these advances.

"The number of people that use the internet to access information means these interventions can reach large numbers of people who may not ordinarily come into treatment," she states.

She continues by emphasising the importance of using the technology at-risk groups are familiar with.

Ms Lee states this has the potential of reducing the number of people harmed by alcohol and drug abuse.

In other news, Alcohol Concern says people who have been arrested should be referred to rehab clinics, as a key technique for tackling dependency.

A spokesperson talking on behalf of the charity also recommended the government to force shops to advertise sensible drinking and reducing the availability of cheap alcohol.

Bookmark this: