Choosing internet-based treatment for problematic alcohol use—why, when and how? Users’ experiences of treatment online

BACKGROUND: Internet-based treatment has emerged as a cost-effective option for reaching people who for different reasons are not reached by traditional treatment. Internet-based treatment for problematic alcohol use, specifically, has been found to show results on par with other forms of treatment. However, in-depth knowledge of users’ experiences is required to understand what works, and what needs further development. The aim of this study is to investigate the help-seeking motives among users of an internet-based service for problematic alcohol use, as well as the users’ experiences of the support available through the service. METHOD: The study consists of a thematic analysis of interviews with 38 former users of the internet-based intervention Alkoholhjälpen. RESULTS: The analysis shows that health and relationship factors, as well as feelings of shame, were important motives for the users’ decisions to reduce their drinking. Availability and anonymity seem to have been important reasons for choosing internet-based support. The different treatment components, i.e. ICBT program, therapist support and discussion forum, were each perceived as helpful by some users but not by others. Treatment components were described as more useful when users were able to personally identify with the content, and when it helped them reflect on their own alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: There are several aspects that are relevant, beyond the comparison between components, if we want to understand what works and for whom in internet-based treatment. Internet-based treatment services should be generous in terms of options for the users.