Alcohol Alert, Number 88

eHealth Technology and What It Means for the Alcohol Field

Technology is transforming the way we live and work. Computers, the Internet, smartphones, and ever-emerging mobile, digital, and other electronic technologies are now an integral part of everyday life—from ordering a pizza to managing finances.

These same technologies hold great promise for the alcohol research, prevention, and treatment communities. By enabling the collection of information in real-time, this rapidly developing area is already improving the quality of data that researchers and clinicians collect from patients and research participants.

Mobile and digital screening, intervention, and treatment protocols could potentially reach millions of people with alcohol use disorder who now go untreated, offering tailored followup as well as “just-in-time” interventions.

This Alert explores both the potential of these technologies and the challenges they present.