Introduction or preface

Technology-based interventions have emerged as a new modality to prevent and treat people involved in alcohol and drug abuse, especially in case of integrated users. The article summarizes the different kind of programs, both in prevention and in treatment field, and discusses the evidence of the effectiveness of Internet interventions for addictions. The literature review shows how the Internet affords unique opportunities to improve, support, and supplement traditional addiction services, even if the results depend on many factors, such as the strategies adopted, the substances involved, the presence of human contact alternatively to the web. Further studies are necessary to investigate the effectiveness of these treatments, and especially of those based on totally self-managed interventions.