Brief e-Health Interventions for Alcohol Use and Related-Problems

Abstract

This chapter provides a description of brief e-health interventions and their role in addressing alcohol use and related problems. The chapter describes common components of e-health interventions and the current evidence base and provides references for current e-health interventions.

Brief in-person Interventions are an effective and cost-effective way to reduce alcohol use problems. Despite this, most Australians who experience an alcohol use disorder (AUD) will never receive treatment, and for those who do, the average delay from emergence of AUD to first treatment contact is 18 years. Several barriers may prevent the implementation of Brief Interventions for alcohol use problems, such as: time, access to health professionals trained in brief intervention, lack of resources, cost, and the stigma associated with seeking treatment for problematic alcohol use. But brief e-health interventions (interventions delivered via internet, mobile phone, or computer) reduce several barriers to treatment.